GIANT OF THE ANDES CLIMBED.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10830, 24 November 1906, Page 7 (Supplement)

GIANT OF THE ANDES CLIMBED.

HOW A 22,000, FEET PEAK WAfj CONQUERED.

GENEVA, Oct. 7. Herr Helting', the Swiss alpinist, tells m "Alpina," now he eglimbed Aconcagua (22,860 feet), the giant of the Andes, m January last, a feat which was briefly announced at the time.

The first ascent was made, I believe, by an Englishman, Mr H, Vines, thirty years ago, since when dozens of other climbers who have made the attempt have failed.

";\ty friends,. Reichert and Stoeppel. and myself left bhe camp," says Hert Helting, "and reached the spot from which we intended to start the real climb. Stoeppel, with true sportsmanship, there agreed to return, as his presence would only have hindered us, and then it was a case of each man for himself.

"We started at daybreak, but at eight o'clock Reichert was done and gave up. He could not stand the fatigue and rarefied air. He took with him his own and my porters, and descended m safety. .

FREEZING IN SUNSHINE,

"From 12,000 ft onwards I was alone. The cold was so intense, m spite of the fact that the sun was shining, that I thought I should be frozen to death, although I was wearing three thick woollen undervests, two heavy waistcoats, two pairs of gloves, a heavy suit of clothes, and a specially made overcoat. "I took nothing bo cab or drink with mo as I did not wish to be loaded, and for twenty-four hours I tasted nothing. I followed the route that Mr Vines took, every yard thinking I would drop. "At last 1 arrived 500 yards from the summit, to reach which was only a walk up a couloir, but I thought I would never finish the climb. With force of will more than strength of body, I continued the terrible ascent, forced to stop to take breath every twenty yards or so, and at last, just as the sun was setting, I arrived on the top— the top "of South America.

"I cannot describe my first impression or feeling, but my happiness was complete. I was at a height of 22,860 ft. After a short rest m the twilight, for at this height it is never dark, I began the descent as if m a dream, and finally arrived at our camp at tliree o'clock m the morning, nearly dead but very contented.

"My friend Reicherb attempted the same feat next day, but failed, and was obliged to return owing to a strong wind.