8vo. 14 pages, plus a remarkable folding colour map. This is a complete issue of the Royal Geographical Society, published February 1884, in excellent condition, containing the above narrative, and historically valuable map. Item is in original condition, with blue wrappers, as issued, complete with all the ads. The color map map highlights the Great Tasman Glacier of Mount Cook, and its tributaries, also shows glaciers and summits which were named for Hooker, Freshfield, Haast, Darwin, Whymper, Francis Joseph, Malte Brun and Hochstetter. A recollection of mountaineering adventure and splendour, Green describes the perils and milestones of the first ever European ascent to reach the summit of Zew Zealand's highest peak - Aoraki (Mount Cook)! Three different approaches were taken, first by the ridge on the south side, unsuccessful though lending to spectacular photographic views, the second attempt being a delightful challenge, 17 hours of arduous climbing along the northern arête later named the Hochsetter Ridge. Finally, via the Ball, Freshfield, and Linda glaciers, the climbers reached their highest point of the peak on third attempt, and, being depleted of provisions, began the return to base camp to record their observations. William Spotswood Green (1847-1919) was an Irish reverend, climber and naturalist, specializing in marine biology. He was a member of the English Alpine Club and became a mountain climber, especially known in Canada and New Zealand. Together with Swiss hotelier Emil Boss and the Swiss mountain guide Ulrich Kaufmann, on 2 March 1882, William S. Green made the first recorded European attempt to reach the summit of Aoraki (Mount Cook) which is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching 3,754 metres. Ascending via the Tasman and Linda Glaciers, they arrived within 50 metres of the true summit before being forced back by inclement conditions. In the late 1880s he partook in a survey expedition in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. In 1883, the author published a full account titled, "The High alps of New Zealand, or a Trip to the Glaciers of the Antipodes with an Ascent of Mount Cook." (London, Macmillan and Co.)
