A little-known holiday ground: the Bealey glacier district.
Caption: A little-known holiday ground: the Bealey glacier district. Mr F. A. Kitchingham , of Greymouth, to whom we are indebted for these interesting photographs, writes: They were taken on two trips to the Bealey glacier district, one being a journey from Greymouth, via Bealey, and back the same way: the other being a round trip via Hokitika, Browning’s Pass and Whitehorn’s Pass, thence to Bealey and home to Greymouth. Going from Greymouth or Christchurch, via Bealey, the camping place can be reached in about twelve hours. The round trip mentioned can be done in four days comfortably, or in three days by exerting one’s self; but extra time is needed to visit the glaciers or climb any of the peaks. (1) The icefall on the Cronin Glacier, one of the finest sights of the district. Taken from the top of Whitehorn’s Pass. (2) Camp at the junction of the White and Waimakariri rivers. (3) On the summit of Mount Isabel (7625ft). (4) A small glacier at the head of White river. (5) The beautiful Whitehorn’s Pass (5728ft) from the slopes of Mount Campbell, about two miles off. (6) Kilmarnock Fall, a steep drop of from 400 to 600ft. The immensity of the falls may be gauged to some extent by the tiny figure of the man, who was comparatively close to the camera. (7) A small glacier above the White river. (8) Looking towards the summit of Mt Isabel. (9) In the Waimakariri riverbed, en route to the glaciers. (10) Looking south from the unnamed pass (4503ft) on the divide: in the foreground the view shows an unnamed creek which leads from the White river to the pass mentioned. Our camp name for the stream was Taipo-iti, partly in allusion to the big Taipo on the Westland side of the pass, and partly on account of the fierce descent of the stream, 2450ft in a mile and a quarter. (11) One of the huts at the Wilberforce. prospecting operations were carried on at the quartz reefs on the Canterbury side of the Alps for some years, and this hut, along with others, was occupied by the workmen. (12) Looking towards Mount Armstrong from the summit of Mount Isabel. (13) On the main glaciers at the head of White river. (14) Mount Greenlaw (7810ft) from the summit of Mount Isabel. It was ascertained on these trips that the peaks shown on some maps as Mounts Davie and Greenlaw are respectively identical with the peaks shown on the latest maps as Mounts Isabel and Murchison.
Description:
F. A. Kitchingham (photographer)
Source: The weekly press, 29 Oct 1913, p. 41
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