HAPPY ALTITUDES IN NEW ZEALAND'S SOUTHERN ALPS

Rights Information
Year
1933
Reference
F6417
Media type
Moving image
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Rights Information
Year
1933
Reference
F6417
Media type
Moving image
Place of production
New Zealand/Aotearoa
Duration
0:08:50
Production company
[New Zealand Government]

‘Along New Zealand’s South Islands runs the mighty chain of the Southern Alps, where large and beautiful glaciers and Ice-falls abound among the towering peaks.’ (Pic) Views of mountains such as Mt. Cook, lakes, trampers, glaciers, waterfalls.
‘Mount Sebastopol’s frozen lake reflects the alpine monarch.’
‘In winter, many a cheery snowball fight is waged at the Hermitage Hotel, thousands of feet above “worry-level’(Pic) Snowball fight outside Hermitage Hotel.
‘Ski-ing is the joy supreme of winter sports, and speed limits have no place above the snow-line.’(Pic)
People on skiis being towed by horses. ‘Training “huskies” for an expedition to the South Pole.’(Pic) Dog sled, huskies being trained for the South Pole.
‘With the successful introduction of the European Chamois, hunting has become another attraction of the Southern Alps.’
‘Crampons, sharp spikes on steel frames fitted to the boots enable the wearer to climb steep slopes of frozen snow without having to cut steps.’(Pic) Climbers and hunters, use of crampons.
‘Chamois and Thar were presented to New Zealand by the late Emperor of Austria, and the herds have increased greatly, providing thrilling sport and yielding heads equal to any taken in their natural habitat.’(Pic) Hunters examine head of chamois, just shot.
‘Snow ploughs clear the road from the Hermitage to the Tasman Chalet, where the Alpine Clubs meet for the winter sports.’(Pic) Snow ploughs clear road, bus brings sportsmen; snowfields overlooking Tasman Glacier.
‘The gleaming snowfields slope smoothly down to the great Tasman Glacier, over eighteen miles in length.’(Pic) Snowfields overlooking Tasman Glacier. Skiers in action.‘These inquisitive mountain parrots, the Keas, are very numerous around the alpine huts.’(Pic) Keas in snow around hut.
‘Those who like to break new ground go off to have their fun a little further afield.’(Pic) Skiers carrying skis up slope; slalom races, close up of skis in action.‘As the day’s sport ends, the ski-ers go gliding homeward over the broad snowfields.’(Pic) Skiers heading home by ski, by plane over the mountains, Franz Josef Glacier.‘But there is another way of gliding over the snowfields, by taking to ourselves wings instead of skis.’(Pic) Summer at Mt. Cook, no snow at lower levels.‘Circling above the famous Franz Josef Glacier, which sweeps down to below forest level on the West Coast.’
‘In the summer-time we find the snow all gone from the lower levels, but the beauty of the scenery never departs, it only changes.’
Scenes around the Hermitage. ‘Monarch of the Southern Alps - - - - Mt Cook, 12,349 ft high.’‘This is the busy season for the rock-climbers, to many of whom this sport is but a prelude to the ascent of the towering peaks nearby’. ‘For those who prefer less strenuous pleasures, ther are sight-seeing trips and picnic outings amid scenery of outstanding beauty.’(Pic) Sightseeing & picnics, girl taking photos of Mt Cook, alpine flowers (Mt Cook lilies).
‘These beautiful native flowers of white and yellow are called Mount Cook Lilies, but are really the largest Buttercups in the world.’(Pic)
A woman picks alpine flowers (Mt Cook lilies.)‘From the vantage point of Outlook Rock, we take a last, lingering view of the majestic peaks of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.’DOMINION REVIEWS NZ logo. Last frame.