AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 85, 20 January 1928, Page 2

AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY.

THE TARARUAS TRAVERSED. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON 1 , January 19. What is believed to be the first traverse of the Tararuas from Otaki to Masterton via the main Tararua range, was made by Messrs G. S. Simpson, J. B. Wright and S. G. Mcintosh, three Wellington men, who were at one time thought to be missing, though this was a mistake arising only out of a misunderstanding as to when the men were likely to be back. Mr Mcintosh is employed in the Government Statistician's office, and is an experienced tramper. Mr Wright is in the Audit Department, and Mr Simpson is a School teacher.

The trip occupied nine days. Fog caused a delay of one day, and the party encountered unexpected obstacles in the nature of pinnacles, mutton scrub and other sub-alpine vegetation which prevented them reaching Mount Crawford (4795 feet) until six days Had elapsed. The original programme was to continue along the main range northwards of Mount Crawford as far as the Arete ,Peak and then follow over Dundas to Eketahuna, but after the earlier delay this was impracticable for the party. A glance at the northerly part of the range revealed miles of stunted hush and scrub. It was therefore aocided to proceed to Masterton from Mount Holdsworth. The oarty were not away longer than they had anticipated and. prepared for." They say that the crossing was very strenuous and that a track will be necessary before the trio is a feasible one for ordinary tramping, i