THROUGH RUGGED WILDS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

THROUGH RUGGED WILDS

TRAMP BY MOUNTAINEERS NEW COUNTRY IN SOUTH ISLAND. TWELVE WET DAYS IN TWENTY. Penetrating during a three weeks’ trip into the little-visited region at the head of Lake Ohau, in the Southern Alps region, on the Canterbury-Otago border, making the first climbs on the divide between Mounts Brewster and McKerrow, an unclimbed district extending for about 30 miles, and crossing the Brodrick Pass, and a col between Mounts Kitson and Dobson leading down to the Elcho Creek, were among the recent experiences of a party of Otago University men. Those making the trip were Dr. B. T. Wyn-Irwin and Mr. G. C. T. Bums, of Christchurch, and Messrs. R. S. Russell and G. C. N. Johnson, of Dunedin. They travelled by car as far as it was possible, and then with 701 b packs set off with the intention of travelling through to the West Coast. The Hopkins was followed a further four miles to its junction with the Huxley, opposite which is located Mount Glenmary (8524 ft the highest point on the Neumann range which separates the Hopkins River valley from that of the Dobson, which also flows into Lake Ohau. Fording the Huxley where it emerges from a gorge at its mouth, the party travelled along river-flats for six miles until a camp site at the Huxley forks was. reached. Next day, in heavy rain, the north branch was followed for six miles to the foot of Brodrick Pass, where two nights and a day were spent at an altitude of 3000 feet in bad weather. Brodrick Pass, at an altitude of 5308 feet, was first crossed in 1890 by the surveyor of that name. It has often beep crossed by deer stalkers. AN UNFORDABLE RIVER. From the camp it was a 3000 ft descent to the Landsborough riverbed, and it proved so difficult that a whole day had to be spent covering this distance. The entrance to a track blazed by stalkers was missed. When the river was reached in the evening the party was only half a mile from a camp established by three deer cullers employed by the Government A day was spent at the camp waiting for the weather to break. As the Landsborough was unfordable, it was decided to make an attempt to reach the Hopkins valley by a pass which, according to the cullers, was used by deer to cross the divide. On Sunday a start was made to climb a leading spur about two miles up the river, just above Barron’s Creek. As deer had eaten away most of the undergrowth this proved easier going, and the bush limit was reached in the evening. Next day dawned beautifully clear and a start was made uphill. Snow was reached within two hours, and an easy climb up steep snow slopes brought the party to the top of the divide. The summit of an unnamed peak was reached first, and from this an easy ridge led to the summit of Mount Kitson. Next day Mount Dobson, the next peak south, of Kitson, was climbed without difficulty. Between Mounts Kitson and Dobson was a col which appeared to be practicable, and the summit was reached in the late afternoon. The next day the mouth of the Elcho Creek was reached, and here a party consisting of Mr. Edgar R. Williams, of Westport, and Messrs. S. A .Grave and N. P. Markham, of Oamaru, was met. This party had picked a route up Mount Ward (8681 ft and wished to climb it so it was decided that three of the party should return to the Hopkins camp for further supplies, while the Oamaru party, together with Mr. R. S. Russell, should attempt the climb. The latter party accordingly set out for another branch of the Elcho, while the-re-mainder set off down the river. , RAIN FALLS FOR FIVE DAYS. After one day’s fine weather, rain began to fall, and it continued for five days. After the fourth day some anxiety was felt for the party up river, as their supplies were limited. Accordingly a start was made upstream, and when the Huxley was reached their camp was seen on the other side. The Huxley was unfordable at the time, and attempts to throw a rope over failed. Finally, a horse was procured from Huxley Gorge Station, and the party was safely brought over. The climbers reached within 100 feet of the top at 8 p.m. on the last day of good weather, and spent a night out at 8000 ft above sea-level. They were held up first by the Elcho and then by the Huxley. As only a week remained of the holiday, and as the weather appeared still unsettled, it was decided to leave the district as soon as possible. Twenty days were spent in the district, and of these only eight were fine.