KAIN, CONRAD (1879-1934), one of the most remarkable guides who ever operated in the New Zealand ranges, was an Austro-Italian. His climbs in Europe (including Corsica) and Canada had become recognised as classics long before 1914, when a patron, H. O. Frind, brought him to this country. In two seasons he crammed daring new routes and first ascents into his calendar, forcing his objectives, for the most part, in the Murchison, Tasman and Mueller valleys. His nationality caused steps to be taken for his imprisonment on Somes Island during the war of 1914-18, but the determined efforts of Mrs Thomson (with whom he had traversed Mount Cook) won his passage to Canada, where he was made chief guide at Banff. He died on 2 Feb 1934, after a brilliant Alpine career. His biography, Where the Clouds can Go (1936) was edited by the American Alpine Club.

J.D.P.

Reference: Volume 1, page 241

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