ASCENT OF MT COOK.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19093, 27 January 1932, Page 8

ASCENT OF MT COOK.

TWO PARTIES SUCCEED. I On January 22nd. after a week of Waiting, Mount Cook was successfully ascended via the Linda Glacier route by two parties. The first party of three were Miss Ida M. Corry, of the English Ladies’ Alpine Club. Chief Guide Williams, of the Hermitage, and Chief Guide Alack, of Fox Glacier, c Closely followed a second party of p four. Messrs L. V. Bryant, L. K. Murry b and A. Dewar led by Mr L. Mahan, of n Timaru. Two previous attempts had e been made during the week, each be- v ing defeated by the weather. On the t: 22nd all set out from the Haast Hut a at 1 a.m. f; After three hours of steady going in g the dark, aided by small candle lan- e terns, the climbers arrived at the well- u known and treacherous Silberhorn c corner. By this time it had begun to a break day." and all eyes were focussed Q on the sky. each one wondering what the weather was going to do. From this point onwards the wind reached gale force. Clouds appeared from all * sides, and the climb looked impossible. u However, on the parties went, hoping the wind would abate. Three hours of « travelling brought them clear of the 1] Linda Glacier, and all that remained u was the final dash to the top. Snow and ice conditions were very good up P to this point, and good time was made, t After a hurried meal they started to v climb the rocks, the weather still look- t ing doubtful. One hour and three- C quarters brought them to the summit c rocks, and all that remained was the u ice cap. Donning crampons, they set s off. and for an hour had an anxious time with the wind, sometimes holding a on for dear life. Tlie * summit was c reached by 11 a.m. After spending ten t minutes taking snaps and admiring the fine view, the climbers started to retrace their steps with all speed. To j linger in this spot with such a wind £ spelt disaster. Once off the ice cap. f fears were over, and good time was made to the Linda Glacier. Then the ? long trudge home, the Haast Hut being j reached at 7 p.m. The whole trip actually taking eighteen hours, and it is believed that this was the largest party that ever stood on the summit together.