East Peak of Earnslaw

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EAST PEAK OF EARNSLAW of the mountain the Earnslaw Gla- (9165ft.) cier, stretched down to Earnslaw Burn and Lake Wakatipu, was December clearly vis- 30th, 7 p.m., found Don ible. Camera fiends went shutter Jeffs and Alex Johnson camped happy. After a while we recovered, Kea Basin on the lower slopes of the and partook of cold tea, biscuits, bar- Rees side of Mt. Earnslaw; 4.30 a.m. ley sugar and fags, and speculated next day we were awakened by keas on the route to West Peak. At 2 trying to make off with crampons; p.m. we decided it was time to return, 5.30, after breakfast, we emerged and and arrived back at Wright Col at began our climb up to Wright Col 3.20 after a thoroughly enjoyable (7000ft), with frequent pauses for climb. breath and the ever-increasing grandeur of the scenery. Frozen waterfalls A fast trip down the Birley Glacier from the Birley Glacier gradually be- and back down the ridge to our Kea gan to operate again as the sun rose Basin camp was achieved in just over higher; 8. a.m. we were cramponing an hour. Finally, after another brew, the Birley Glacier to reach Wright we returned to the base at Col and Esquilant Bivvy just after ter Creek at 7 p.m. after camp Hun- 9. Stopped and talked to two descend- day's climb. a great ing Alpine Club climbers for a few minutes, and found two more at Es- ALEX JOHNSON