High heels on Heaphy

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 3

High heels on Heaphy

Nelson.reporter A search and rescue operation prepared at Golden Bay yesterday, to look for a “distressed” woman said to be walking the Heaphy Track, was called off after it was reported that she had been seen on the track. The young woman believed to be in her early twenties, was seen by a fanner at Bainham on Saturday, at the Golden Bay end of the track. She said that she intended to walk to the Brown Hut at the start of the track.

She seemed ill-equipped to walk further: she was wearing a long green dress, a brown coat, and high-heeled shoes. She was carrying no pack or food. Because she appeared to be distressed, the farmer rang the Takaka police and it was decided to search for her. About 40 residents and two policemen were at Takaka ready to go to the track when a report was received that the woman had been seen. Trampers coming off

the track reported seeing her about 1 p.m. on Sunday at Big River, just past the Downs Hut. At that time she was said to be travelling “at a fast clip.” She was still wearing high heels and she still had no pack. Upon receiving this report the search plans were cancelled. The Karamea police had been notified of her last known whereabouts. Until yesterday morning, the weather in the area was fine but very cold. It appeared to be snowing over the ranges.