Geological Survey of Canterbury. 129 



summit are formed by gigantic blocks, with the interstices between 

 them grown over, so that when walking, the foot often breaks 

 through the covering of plants. The summit is about half a mile 

 broad, and covered by a succession of bosses, amongst which, at 

 different elevations, lie several small lagoons. The view from here 

 is magnificent in the extreme, and can fairly rival that in any 

 part of our Southern Alps. To the west a large valley opens, 

 about three quarters of a mile broad, in which a glacier of considerable 

 dimensions is situated. This glacier, which I named the Lyell glacier, 

 reaching nearly to the western base of the hill on which I was 

 standing, is entirely covered in its lower portion with debris, but 

 higher up it shows its structure in many seracs, exhibiting 

 peculiar green and bluish hues. Hound the glacier rose peak upon 

 peak, sending down their ice streams. Amongst them the rocky 

 pyramid of Mount Tyndall was conspicuous, enveloped in vast snow- 

 fields. 



Although the view towards west was so magnificent, that towards 

 north could equally claim my admiration. A high dome-shaped 

 mountain, covered with snow and ice, which I named Mount Kinkel, 

 lies between the two glaciers, separated from my station by a deep 

 gorge, in which the outlet of the Lyell rushes down against the 

 Eamsay glacier. Another majestic mountain range lies between 

 Mount Kinkel and Mount Whitcoinbe, which I named Mount Eamsay. 

 It is impossible to convey in words an adequate idea of the rugged 

 character of this mountain and its eastern neighbour Mount Whitcombe ; 

 turrets, pinnacles, and minarets rise all along the serrated edges, and 

 the rocky face is, in most instances, so steep that no snow can lie 

 upon it. Mount "Whitcombe, which when seen from the Pass, appears 

 like a rocky pyramid, extends considerably in breadth, its outlines 

 rugged in the extreme, can scarcely be surpassed by any other mountain. 

 For several hours I was occupied taking the necessary bearings, and 

 making a sketch of the glorious scenery before me, a copy of which 

 was added with some others to my Eeport on that journey, published 

 by the Provincial Government* and from which I am quoting largely. 

 It was only towards evening that I reluctantly turned away from this 

 panorama, which for diversity of scenery and its wild alpine character, 

 is second to none in ]S"ew Zealand. 



* Eeport on the Head-waters of the Eiver Eakaia, with Twenty Illustrations and Two 

 Appendices. By Julius Haast, Ph.D., F.G.S., Etc., Provincial Geologist. 1866. 



