Climbers Find Dull Red Snow On Mount Rolleston.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18646, 27 December 1928, Page 1

Climbers Find Dull Red Snow On Mount Rolleston.

TWO CHRISTCHURCH ALPINISTS NOTE PECULIARITY DURING RECORD ASCENT.

AN ASCENT of Mt Rolleston was made on Monday last by Messrs A. Anderson (Christchurch) and H. F«. Reid (of the Railway Department, Christchurch). The climbers left Jacks Hut, on the Gorge Road, at 6 a.m. in perfect weather and reached the Bealey Glacier by 6.30. Favoured by good climbing conditions, they readied the main ridge at 8.30. From this point clouds were seen gathering in the west, but the Canterbury side remained clear all day.

A very unusual feature was the dull red colour of the snow, which is considered by the party to have been caused by the dust storm last October.

The summit was reached at 10.35 a.m. after four hours thirtv-five minutes climbing, which is considered to be a record for the ascent. The view from the top was good on the Canterbury side, but nothing could be seen of the West Coast, as it was under clouds.

The descent was made via the Crow Glacier to the lower peak, then down the Otira Valley to the Gorge Road, which was reached at 3.50 p.m.. The party arrived at Arthur s Pass at 5 o’clock.