PARTY EXPLORES NEW ROUTE OVER SOUTHERN ALPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18641, 19 December 1928, Page 9

PARTY EXPLORES NEW ROUTE OVER SOUTHERN ALPS.

WENT FROM HERMITAGE TO WEST COAST SIDE. (Special to the "Star.”) WELLINGTON, December 19. A new' mountaineering route across the Southern Alps from the Hermitage to the Karangarua River has just been explored by a party consisting of Mr A. P. Harper, Miss Rosamund Harper, w'ho accompanied Mr Amery last year, Messrs S. A. Wiren, of Wellington, R. Lucas, of Nelson, and Charles Turner Williams, of Haveloclu.North. The party crossed the saddle at the head of the Mueller Glacier into the head of the Landsborough River, which flows for 35 miles into the Haast River. They then went up to the M’Kerrow Glacier, at the source of the Landsborough, for a couple of miles or so, then over the Karangarua Pass (6541 feet) on the Karangarua River, camping on Christmas Flat, and thence down the river to the West Coast settlements. The latter part of the journey is very rough and would take two full days in fine weather. This is the first party to cross by the route mentioned. It is one of fine scenery, with large glaciers and magnificent gorges and probably embracing some of the most rugged and precipitous mountains in the Alps. It will be many years before any attempt can be made to open up this difficult country for tourists. Under the present conditions everyone in the party must carry provisions and camping requisites. The descent of the w'estern side is very arduous and exacting, and should not be tried without a leader experienced in that class of country. The Karangarua River was first explored and mapped out by Mr Harper with a Maori companion 34 years ago. They reached the head of the river at Christinas, 1894, crossed the pass on to the M’Kerrow Glacier, and explored the south bank of the Landsborough River down to the junction of the Ilaast River. They continued their explorations for six months, depending chiefly on birds for food. Birds were then very- plentiful, but now ituat.s and weasels have almost exterminated them.

The only party that has been into the country since was the Government

Geologist, Dr Macintosh Bell, in 1908, who, with Guide Clarke, ascended from the West Coast intending to find a pass over to the Hermitage but he failed to do so and had to return.