BLIND MAN’S FEAT

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1930, Page 9

BLIND MAN’S FEAT

FRANZ JOSEF . GLACIER CROSSED. Mr. J. W. N. Mclntosh, of 134, Salisbury Street, Christchurch, has the unique distinction of being the first blind man to journey to the Franz Josef Glacier and make the trip across the glacier, states the Christchurch Star. Mr. Mclntosh is a returned soldier, and lost his sight during the Great War. “Last Easter,” .said Mr. Mclntosh, “a party of us travelled from Greymouth. From there we went by car to the Glacier Hotel. On the Saturday, after breakfast, the, party,' consisting of about 65 persons, equipped themselves with alpine outfits, and accompanied by eight guides, left, about half-past nine for the glacier. I went with them as far as the hut at the glacier, but was not permitted to proceed any further. I felt disappointed, and had to wait while The others went on. I waited at the hut and spent the time listening-to the ice-falls and the road of the glacier rivers. At last the • others retumed, and then Gudie Frank Alack, who had already been out once, said he would take me on to the glacier. We set out with another guide early in the afternoon, equipped with alpenstocks and mountaineering boots. I was not roped to the guides, and found the going quite simple. The shingle at the moraine did not trouble me, and wo went up the track where the others had come down. It was a steep grade and footing had to be safe and sure, otherwise a drop of two thousand feet at one part of the trip would have resulted. The air was exhilirating, and braced one up considerably. The temperature was quite warm, but cold as some people imagine. It was a fine day except for a local thunderstorm, which soon passed away. “I was about two hours on the ice and enjoyed every minute of it. The glacier is about half a mile wide at the point where I went up, Wo chose the track along the middle of the moraine, and footing was very difficult. In places there was only enough room to walk in single file, and the utmost care had to be given to picking a hold. The ice is scarred by cracks everywhere. We cut steps in a pinnacle of ice, and then had our photos taken by the third' member of our party. Then we made tracks for home, and arrived finally at the hotel, where hot baths and a change of clothing were wait-, ing- • : . “The native bush, although" I could not see it, is wonderful. I was able, however, to smell the ferns and mosses that grow so luxuriantly. The birds, too, were a source of great pleasure to me. Moreporks, Luis, bell-birds, kakas, and many others all sang their different notes. I enjoyed them very much. There are glow-worms there also, I am told, and they shine at night like stars. Another feature ,of the trip is the reflection in the mountain lakes, especially Lake Mathioson, which we vw't’ul,