Geological Survey of Canterbury. 23 



as the wind changed, the snow disappeared, and the temperature 

 rose again to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade. 



On March 5th we started before daybreak for an exploration of 

 the Great Godley glacier. As it was impossible to cross the river 

 near the glacier itself we had to do so several miles below the junction 

 of the outlet of the Classen glacier, intending afterwards to wade 

 through the outlet of the latter near the glacier vault. When in the 

 . middle of the river-bed, the first rays of the sun began to light up the 

 summits of the highest peaks with a deep roseate hue, while all below 

 was still in deep shade ; the sky was without clouds, and all promised 

 a fine day. Travelling along the huge moraine accumulations in front 

 of the Classen glacier we reached the outlet ; but after several attempts 

 to wade across it we found it too deep and rapid, so we were obliged 

 to climb up the terminal face, winch owing to the continual falls of 

 stones was not without danger, and to find our way afterwards down 

 again on the other side of the glacier vault, which caused us a consider- 

 able loss of time. Before reaching the foot of the Godley glacier we 

 had to ford a small stream which issues from the eastern side of that 

 glacier and which although very rapid was not deep. The ascent of 

 the terminal face was easily accomplished the ice being here covered 

 with an enormous load of debris, sloping with an easy angle into the 

 river-bed. Keeping towards the centre of the glacier and after a 

 laborious walk of nearly two miles we at last reached the ice, which for 

 a short distance was level and unbroken and offered us good travelling 

 ground, but soon it began to be so much crevassed that it became 

 dangerous to advance without the necessary protection, we therefore 

 attached ourselves to a rope brought for the purpose and advanced 

 in a line, of which I as usual took the lead. I had now to cut steps 

 with an ice axe up and down the crevasses, gradually getting broader 

 and deeper, which made our advance very slow work. However? 

 observing that on our right hand the eastern and principal 

 portion of the glacier formed a wall about sixty feet above that 

 portion on which we travelled, we managed with some trouble to 

 ascend to it, when we found ourselves again on a large moraine. A 

 most extensive and magnificent view now opened before us. That 

 portion of the glacier on which we had been travelling came from a 

 large valley opening to the north, and its surface stood at a much lower 

 level than the main glacier, which by pressing against the former had 

 crevassed it near the junction to so considerable an extent that passing 

 over it was of the utmost difficulty. The united glacier itself at the 



