VALUABLE CLIMBING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20510, 11 January 1935, Page 8

VALUABLE CLIMBING.

Unmapped Westland Area Explored. A trip across the Main Divide through previously unexplored country was undertaken during the holidays by four members of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club. Useful information concerning the country traversed has been given to the Lands and Survey Department. The climbers, Messrs J. G. Malcolmson, A. P. Thomson, G. D. T. Hall and J. D. Pascoe, left Christchurch on December 22, and returned yesterday. From Erewhon Station, the}' - made their way to the moraine of the Wee Macgrcgor Glacier, pitching camp on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Da)*, the divide crossing was started, the party going up the glacier and negotiating an uncrossed col to come out at the head of the Perth glaciers on the Westland side. They were in unknown country now, and the first obstacle was the great Perth icefall. A complete traverse was made of the glacier to the head of the Perth River, camp being pitched near the terminal moraine. Around the party lay many fine peaks, all unclimbed. On Boxing Day, the party ascended to a terraced plateau of ice running for miles along the Adams Range. It will be suggested to the Geographic Board that this should be called the Garden of Eden, with its outfall icefalls named Eve, Cain, Abel and the Serpent respectively. Much additional climbing was done in this region, although the weather prevented any really ambitious ascents.

For two days, the party was hindered by rain, but the weather improved on December 29, and much exploration work was done, including an ascent to within 300 feet of the top of a new peak, The Great Unknown, the discovery of a new glacier and pass to the Poerua River and an unmapped glacier. Bad weather prevented any more work until January 2, when the trek down the Perth River was started. They came out at Wataroa on January 6, and returned to Christchurch by way of Hokitika.