Shrinking glaciers curtail climbing trips

Aoraki/Mt Cook's shrinking glaciers are forcing climbers to think more carefully about their excursions into the national park.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) yesterday released the results of its annual end-of-summer survey of the snowline on key South Island glaciers, showing the glaciers continue to shrink. The news is no surprise to those who know the national park.

Veteran mountaineer Gordon Hasell, who has been climbing in the area since the 50s, said that during the 60s the lake at the base of the Tasman Glacier was the same size as the duck pond in Timaru's Botanical Gardens.

"It's now about 4km long."

With a new lake and the increased exposure of the glacier's moraine walls, climbers were being forced to change the way they approached the park.

Mr Hasell said climbers no longer have as easy access to parts of park as they once did.

"Now the major effect excess recession has had is a greater dependence on air access."

Department of Conservation ranger Ray Bellringer said the changes had been "very spectacular and very noticeable over a period".

- © Fairfax NZ News