School Teacher’s Sixth Milford Track Trip

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29739, 5 February 1962, Page 2

School Teacher’s Sixth Milford Track Trip

The Milford track, winding through the Fiordland bush from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound, has captivated most of those who have walked it, and many have returned for a second visit. Mrs M. J. Hare, a Wanganui school teacher, has been so taken with it that she has made the crossing six times.

High up on the track towards the McKinnon pass, with Mount Elliott rising sheer behind her, Mrs Hare explained last week it was impossible to see all the wonderful scenery in one trip.

“There is someth come. This may be ir not intend it to be my

ing new every time I ly sixth time, but I do last,” she said.

She has taken many photographs of the track, and chows them to various groups in Wanganui to interest-them in what Fiordland has to offer. „ , j “Many New Zealanders, and especially North Islanders, seem to have no inkling of what exists in this wonderful part of the country,” said Mrs Hare. “I think it's a Shame they are missing so much, just for want of knowing. Quite a number have made the trip as the result of seeing my pictures. The Government Tourist Bureau in Wanganui eay they have booked at least 16 for the walk this year as the result of my slide shows.” Twice One Year Mrs Hare first walked the track in 1958. In spite of atrocious weather, including a blizzard over the pass, she was sufficiently attracted by what she saw to go again in

1960. and that year she made the journey twice. This year she has walked three tames, as well as viewing the country from the air. “Most people are capable of walking the track, as tong as they are physically fit,” she added. “The fastest are usually the youngest, but I feel that children and young teen-agers have no fine appreciation of the beauties around them, and do not retain very much. Their main purpose is to be able to say they have ‘done the trade. ’ ”

For the average adult, the rate of crossing was probably too fast, she said. The first day’s walk of 10 miles from Glade House to the Pompolona Huts could be taken in a fairly leisurely fashion, since trampers were allowed to proceed at their own rate and were asked only to arrive by 6 p.m. Both the other two tramping days were far too rushed, however, and she thought that each should be broken into two-day walks. Alpine Flowers

An overnight stop should be made at the Pass Hut at 3432 ft, she thought, to give trackers time to enjoy the full beauty of the views and the alpine flowers. She, herself, had been quite comfortable in the hut when she spent the night there recently (the third woman to do so).

Another night’s stop would be beneficial between Quintan Huts and Sandfly point on Milford Sound. Under present conditions it was necessary to keep closely with the rest of the party all day, to be at the Boatshed for the Arthur river ferry and the crossing to Milford. Mrs Hare gave several warnings to prospective trackers.

‘Be prepared for all weathers; she said: “Great changes can happen in a single day, and it is most unusual to get the same kind of weaither all through. I have never had a completely fine trip in all my six crossings. Essentials Only “Do not take too much gear, only the essentials. One’s pack never gets lighter. “Wear comfortable, welll-broken-in boots, and get your feet toughened before you go. I have seen people in absolute agony with their feet for want of these precautions.

“ Finally, although the average person can make the trip quite comfortably, the track is not the place for those with weak hearts, as it is pretty steep in places,” Mrs Hare said.