Roughing it in comfort

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 31

Roughing it in comfort

Roughing it in comfort in one of the most spectacularly beautiful, almost wild areas of the South Island is the offer being made to great outdoors enthusiasts, by a Nelson firm. Kehu Guides. Two teachers in outdoor education. Tony Entwhistle and Graeme Marshall, hit upon the idea while taking part in their favourite pursuits — hunting and fishing in the vast native forest areas of the north-west Nelson Forest Park. Tony is a teacher at the outdoor- education centre at Lake Rotoiti. Rotoiti Lodge, and Graeme has a similar position at the Tapawera area school. Walking through a tramper's wonderland, they correctly assessed that a lot of people would thoroughly enjoy a holiday — a different holiday — in these surroundings but baulked at the problems of egress presented by the wild nature of the forest. This was a simple matter for the two to overcome and. 12 months ago. a Hughes 500 helicopter dropped the firstparty into the Karamea area for what was to be a five-day trek of a lifetime. Now. between December and April, the helicopter is hard at work taking trekking parties and their guides into the forest park for either five or three-day guided treks. The firm provides road transport from Nelson to the Graham Valley where the helicopter lifts out the party and lands it at the confluence of the Crow and Karamea rivers. Then, in easy five (or three) day stages, the trampers walk out by way of the Karamea Bend, Leslie River and the Mount Arthur tableland. Highlights of these guided treks are opportunities to fish for brown trout in almost untouched fishing waters. At least one good feed of trout is guaranteed' and those in the party can fish to their hearts content — because all fish but those required for food are returned to the water.

When dropping the trampers into the forest, the helicopter also air-lifts in food, tents and other materials needed on trek to the camp sites, so that trampers carry packs, no heavier than 10kg. All gear, other than packs, boots and personal clothing is supplied by the firm. A five-day trek (which costs $250 for adults and $2lO for children aged under 15) is made in very easy stages. On the first day — very’ much an introductory day — camp is set up and there is time for fishing. A five-hour walk 'to the Karamea Bend (with lots of rests in between) fills the second day. and a walk down to the earthquake lakes in the Karamea takes up the third day. The fourth day is spent in six hours of walking to the Mount Arthur tablelands for some magnificent panoramic views, and on' the fifth day, the party walks out to the Graham Valley to be picked up by road transport and taken back to Nelson. the three-day trek is in the same area — but shorter. It cost $220 for adults and $l9O for children. Mr Marshall says either trek is suitable for persons aged from 10 to 65 to undertake — or anybody above that age provided they are reasonably fit. Throughout the tour, prolific bird life, with the prospects of kiwis in close proximity to the tents at night, excellent fishing and magnificent scenery add to the enjoyment of being away from it all. Mr Marshall says his firm also caters for fishing and hunting parties