Arthur's Pass

As the subject-matter of this book is confined to the central portion of the Southern Alps, amongst the larger glaciers and highest peaks, a short description of the general topography of the mountains to the north and south of that district will be sufficient.

Between Christchurch on the east coast and Hokitika on the west coast, a coach road, unsurpassed by any I have seen elsewhere, runs over Arthur's Pass at an altitude of a little over three thousand feet.

A railway presenting some formidable engineering difficulties is now in course of construction by this route.

For some distances south of Arthur's Pass, the Southern Alps only rise above the snow line in the peaks, there being many passes free from snow in the summer.

Many fine glaciers exist, however, at the head of the Waimakariri River, which rises near the pass and flows eastward.

South of this river is the Rakaia, which makes its rise from the glaciers on the main range, and those of Mount Arrowsmith and the surrounding peaks, the chief sources being the Ramsay and Lyle glaciers, both of considerable size.

The western slopes and offshoots of the main range are very precipitous, and the rivers, though of considerable size, are comparatively short and, descending very rapidly, have cut deep impassable gorges through the mountains.

Unlike the eastern slopes, which are nearly all open, tussocky, grass-covered country, the west coast ranges are covered with dense forest to a height of three thousand five hundred feet to four thousand feet.