NEW ZEALAND’S ALPINE GLORIES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 17, 27 April 1907, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND’S ALPINE GLORIES.

SCEXERY EROM THE MALTE BRI X HUT. From the Malte Brun Hut, which is situated on the Malte Brun range, between Tasman Glacier and Murchison Glacier, can be seen some of the finest scenery in the Mount Cook region, in fact, it can vie with any alpine scenery in the world. It is a splendid basis from which to make quite a number of interesting trips. Tourists will find the hut amly found with every comfort, but as no wood is available for firing, all cooking has to be done by means of a kerosene stove, which answers its purpose admirably. A good many keas collect around when the hut is inhabited, and some of them are extremely cheeky. They will come into the room, and if the visitor chances to leave his boots or socks or any sueh like articles outside to dry, these inquisitive birds will quickly push them over the side of the stone platform on which the hut stands, besides biting pieces out of them. They constantly amuse themselves pushing small stones over the shelf, and watch them fall with keen interest- To get the best views from here the visitor must be early astir, in order to watch the effects of the rising sun in the lofty spires of Mount Cook and its attendant peaks. The sight will more than compensate him for the loss of an hour or two’s bed.

Just above the hut an easy climb brings the visitor to a very line snow basin, in which exciting tobogganing can be obtained; and above this is a rock climb which any ordinary person can accomplish. Indeed, a full day can be spent on this range, the various peaks climbed opening up ever-changing views both of the icy mountains and the glaciers. A grand day’s outing is a trip to the Hochtetter Dome by way of the Lendenfeldt Saddle. The glacier below the Maße Brun Hut is at a height of about 550 ft above sea-level, and from there to the Lendenfeldt Saddle, which is 7901 ft.

the glacier is followed for about four miles, ascending by an easy grade. \\ hen the ice is clear of newly-fallen snow, or when the snow is frozen, the walk is a comparatively easy one, but the task through new or only half-frozen snow is a very heavy one. Soon after the start the head of the Tasman Glacier is seen to the right, and a splendid view is obtained of the Malte Brun Peaks.

Then the abrupt face of Mount Darwin is passed. Towards the head of the Ilochstetter Glacier, deep fissures and couloirs abound, and if these are covered with snow, nearly every step has to be sounded with the ice-axe; but the guides are so expert and careful that the most timid need have no hesitation in trusting to them. Arrived at the top on a clear day, a magnificent panorama.

unfolds itself. Just below is the Wliyinper Glacier, surmounted by scores <f rugged peaks, and beyond these are Mounts Aylmer and Cooper, and the lower ranges, which lie between it and the coast, while the snow-fed rivers as they flow down to the sea resemble a number of silver threads. Far l>eyond. the ocean can be seen breaking on the shores of the West Coast.