THEY climbed to the summits of New Zealand mountains dressed in jackets, ties and knickerbockers. And with no crampons.
During an intense three years from 1910–13, Freda du Faur with Peter and Alexander (Alec) Graham climbed most of the highest peaks in the Southern Alps, after which du Faur never climbed again.
At 29, du Faur was the first woman to climb Aoraki / Mt Cook. Peter (32) and Alec (29) were her guides. The weather around Aoraki is rarely in a good temper, but on December 4, 1910, it was perfect.
Following that triumph came a grand traverse of Aoraki's three peaks with Peter Graham and David (Darby) Thomson. Du Faur was the first to climb Mt Dampier, shot up Tasman and Sefton (she was
