MOUNTAINEERING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2648, 2 November 1909, Page 5

MOUNTAINEERING.

THE PASTIME IX XEW ZEALAXD.

Mount Cook is among the holiday resorts of the Dominion that are distinctly growing in popu.arity. The annual report of the Tourist Department shows that there was a substantial improvement in the receipts at the Hermitage last rear, tlie revenue growing from £l4os'in 1907-S to £1796 in 1908-9, and that the number of visitors increased from 261 to 309. The great mountain and its surroundings are not, of course, a poor man’s playground, and people do not flock to the Hermitage in their hundreds for the week-end. Most of the visitors attempt something more or less pretentious in the way of climbing, and last season, thanks to the warm, dry weather, quite a number of them reached tlie Upper Tasman Glacier and the Malte Brun Hut, and returned to their homes well satisfied with tlieir achievements. The experienced climbers_ took advantage of the favorable conditions to do much bigger things. Chief-Guide Graham and'Mr. Dennistoim, of Peel Forest, crossed the divide by Graham’s Saddle early in December, from Malte Brim Hut to Waiho Gorge in fourteen, hours and a half, thus reducing the record for the walk bv several hours. The return journey was made by way of the Sealey Saddle on to the Godley Glacier, and thence by the Classen back to the Tasman Valley and the Hermitage. This was the first time this expedition had been made. Mr. Claude M'Donald, a member of the English Alpine Club, accompanied by two guides, made the first complete traverse of Mount SeaDv and Malte Brun, and the first ascent of Coronet Peak. Mr. M'Donald made two attempts on Mount Cook, but on both occasions was driven back by bad weather. Mr. Earle, another member of the English Alpine Club, was more fortunate. On March 4, accompanied b,- Mr. A. Graham, of the Geological Survey, and two guides, lie reached tin summit of the great mountain by a new route from the Hooker Glacier. A fortnight later Mr. Earle and Chi dGuide Graham made the ascent of an unclimbed peak immediately to the south of Mount Malte Brun and named it Aiguillas Rouge. During the season Mrs. Linton, of Geelong, established a new lady’s record by accompanying her husband in a trip from Malte Bran Hut to Waiho Gorge and back by Copland Pass. This is the first time a lady Ks crossed Graham’s Saddle, and the guides were much impressed by Mrs. Linton’s energy and cheerful endurance. The Australian visitor has set her New Zealand sisters a task which thev will not easily excel.