Body Left In Mountains

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30576, 20 October 1964, Page 1

Body Left In Mountains

A second attempt by the -police to recover the body of Walter Frederick (Derek) Winter, the mountaineer who was blown off a ridge of Mount Manakau, in the Seaward Kaikouras while in his sleeping-bag on the night of July 4 has failed. The second attempt was made by a party of three policemen, a mountaineer, and the Rev. F. G. Glen, of the Shirley. Methodist Church.

The party returned to Christ-1 church on Saturday. The steep valley into which 1 Mr Winter fell was entered i through a narrow defile after i a considerable climb. The ] party was descending to the < area where the body fell, when low cloud endangered , it and forced it to turn back. A cross, bearing Mr Win- , ter’s name, was erected by ( Mr Glen near where the body fell. Mr Winter and three companions were caught on a ridge more than 5000 ft up on Mt. Manakau (8526 ft by a sudden wind change. The wind increased to a gale, pinning them to the narrow :

ridge. The party belayed on ice-axes, and some also belayed on rocks. Mr Winter, in his sleeping-bag, was blown from the ridge about 6.30 pm., falling 1000 ft to 1500 ft down precipitous faces. His body was seen by a search party of policemen and mountaineers, but, in the winter conditions, was inaccessible. The party which attempted to reach the body last week reported that the area was most hazardous. Mr Winter, aged 32, lived at Rangiora and worked for the New Zealand Forest Service. He was an experienced mountaineer.