Tramper And Rescue Party Back From Bush

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 16

Tramper And Rescue Party Back From Bush

(New Zealand Press Association)

NELSON, May 7. After 12 days in the bush between Wangapeka and Karamea. seven of which were spent at the Stag Flat hut Mr Colin Wilson arrived at Karamea at 5.30 p.m. yesterday with the rescue party which located him. On toe way out of the bush yesterday the party experienced .now six inches deep in open areas. Mr Wilson, a 30-year-old Englishman, emerged from his experience fit and well and full of praise for toe Search and Rescue Organisation. "All these people showed public spirit." he said Mr Wilson, who had been working on a tobacco farm in the Riwaka area, said he had alread. walked the Heaphy Track and had spent many hour* of discussion and preparation for this trip so as to ensure against becoming a liability, to anyone. He had discussed all aspects of the walk with Sergeant N. B. Oxnam and Mr Ros* Curtis, who led the Nelson search party, had checked all his equipment. He Mid the track had been clearly marked most

of the way and where it was not he had been able to follow the river. However, on the fourth day out from Wangapeka be had been unable to recover the Wack and had returned to the Stag Flat hut. Hi* food ran short but some rice was stored in the hut and for some days he was largely dependent on this. After wo day* at the hut the weather changed and he experienced low cloud and sleet Even after seven day*' waiting. Mr Wilson said he had no Intention of trying to find hi* own way out a* his allotted time had expired and he knew search parties would be sent to the area He had left notes in each hut he had visited and had made a point of making firm Imprints in the earth at regular intervals. There had proved helpful to the search parties. Mr Wilson spent moat of toe seven day* collecting fuel. He said walking the Wangapeka Track was definitely not for those inexperienced in rough country. Mr Wilson plan* to leave for England on June 5.