Footstool

Machine-read text (unproofread)

Read from the scans by software, so it contains mistakes. Typing it up properly would help blind readers: use Suggest an edit.

FOOTSTOOL. The Waimakariri, although not a particularly difficult eistrict can nevertheless provide the more ambitious climber with some interesting ascents. This might become apparent when one realises that there are a number of virgin routes in the area. It is, however, anc ideal place for the average mountaineer, there being a wide variety of climbs, from easy to difficult. Trev Walsh, Keith Garbutt and myself spent an enjoyable though not very profitable week in the Waimak. last Christmas. We unfortunately had only one suitable climbing day, the others being wet, or spent in travel. We saw sufficient however to realise the potentialities of the area and may possibly return some day. Following our sojourn in the Waimak. Keith and Trev. returned home whilst I journeyed to the Hermitage to await the arrival of Bill Rice and Co. from the Hopkins. I was fortunate to be introduced to Andy Anderson; Andy was fresh back from scaling the heights of Mt Dampier; thus being the first person to have completed the ascents of all N.Z. 10,000 ft peaks (17 in all ). The Footsto l 9073' was discussed, a delectable mountain easily visible from the Hermitage. It was not long before we were heading towards the Sefton Bivvy. A climb of 3 hours 50 minutes brought us to the Bivvy which at this time of the year is just on the snow linc. Crampons were strapped on first thing next morning and at 4 a.m. we left the comparative comfort of the Bivvy for a silent world of snow and ice that stretched around and above us. Although wehad not had a freeze the night before the slope was hard enough to take the crampons. The morning was still, avalanches had not begun to tumble yet, and in the distance could be seen the Hermitage. We were lucky indeed to have little trouble with the route, as a party had made an ascent of the Footstool two days pr-viously and their steps were still visible as they led us upwards,and around a maze of crevasses and schrunds. I had the job of breakinga trail in the fast softening snow. Our progress was quick and we had soon disappeared from the view of the Hermitage, crossing around to the northern slopes where a biting wind occasionally rushed down to greet us.. Some rock climbing brought us to the summit at 9 a.m. where a grand panorama was visible, such as is only rarely seen in the high country. Mts Cook, La Perouse, Hicks and others could be seen to advantage in the north, but over-powering and terrible by its closeness and appearance to the south towered the awesome Sefton. 20 minutes on top and the wind began to make itself felt in our bones so that the summit was forsaken for lower regions where food was quickly produced, and as quickly consumed; then back down our trail plunging waist deep in the snow and watching small rivulets start off down the steel slopas and disappear into the yawning mouths of giant crevasses while above us tottering seracs glcwered sullenly down. Back at the Bivvy by 12:45 we had a welcome lunch before starting back to the Hermitage, arriving there at 4:45 p.m. The above is a short and rough chronicle of an interesting and enjoyable climb on a reputable mountain that is not often climbed. I was successful a few days later, with Bill & Co. on Mt Aiguille Rouge, Malte Brun's southern neighbour. And althoughI did not set foot on the highest point of a great number of mountains, the two that I did climb were indeed worthy and I hope one should not always measure the success of his climbing holiday by the number of peaks conquered, but rather by the merit of his climbs and the enjoyment thereof Rod Milne,

23 =