Two against the Alps

An entertaining read from the well known New Zealand mountaineering figure Graeme Dingle (well - well known in New Zealand). At the time, Dingle is only a young fella, and tells the story of this first traverse along the (South Island) Southern Alps from the mouth of the Waiau River in Southland to Wairau River mouth in Marlborough in 1972.

Dingle travelled with the delightful Jill Tremain, and tells an interesting and amusing story, in which he is not afraid to share his errors as well as the great achievements. Jill Tremain sadly died in an avalanche while on an expedition in the Himalaya in 1975. It is nice to think that she is preserved in the text of this book, in which Dingle fairly shares the credit for the success of the traverse with her.

At the time (not that I remember, as it was just before I was born) their journey raised the heckles of conservative New Zealand society because these two young people were unmarried yet living together in huts and tents - disgusting! Of course the two were not actually a couple, but travelling companions. They pretty much told those who objected to get stuffed.

Most likely only of interest to those who enjoy an expedition breaking new ground, interested in the Southern Alps and the locations on the way, or those with an interest in Dingle and Tremain.

Four Stars.