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CHAPTER VII

FOURTH ATTEMPT TO CLIMB AORANGI

We reach the Great Plateau at last—Defeat again—The Crossing of the Ball Pass

'Perge et perage.'

again, on January 4, 1890, in company with Mr. Arthur Harper, a gentleman who had then done two seasons' climbing in Switzerland, I left Christchurch to try conclusions afresh with the monarch of the Southern Alps.

On this occasion we reached the Hermitage in two days from Christchurch, riding from Fairlie Creek, and crossing the Tasman River opposite Burnett's Mount Cook sheep station. Here we were joined by Annan, who had already conveyed the bulk of our impedimenta to the Ball Glacier camp.

On arrival at this point I at once remarked that the ice of the Ball Glacier had risen above its customary level, and seemed to be encroaching in a lateral direction—a circumstance which undoubtedly points to a cycle of advance in the great body of the ice, to be registered at the terminal face in years to come.

It will not be out of place here to give a description of our usual Alpine outfit, which may enable