Gardiner, Kate (1885–1974)

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Gardiner, Kate (1885–1974)

New Zealand mountaineer. Born on Sept 21, 1885, at Wavertree, Lancashire, England; died Jan 29, 1974, in Hastings, New Zealand; dau. of Frederick Gardiner (shipowner) and Alice (Evans) Gardiner.

Internationally recognized premier climber, was the 8th woman to climb Mt Hood (1928); spent summers climbing in New Zealand and remainder of year climbing mountains in Canada and Switzerland; barely survived being stranded during Mt. Tasman climb by sudden storm but returned a year later to successfully be 2nd woman to make ascent (1932–33); worked as commandant of auxiliary convalescent unit in England during World War II.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 4).

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