Trampers reflect after ordeal

Press, 25 November 1982, Page 2

Trampers reflect after ordeal

PA Greymouth Three trampers who were stranded on Mount Stoddard for seven days by atrocious weather, during which their tent was ripped to tatters and they had to dig a snow cave for shelter, yesterday were able to reflect on their ordeal.

One of the trampers, Mr John Langley, aged 32, of Dunedin, suffered frostbite but is reported in good condition in Grey Hospital. Mr Peter Richards, aged 32, of Christchurch, and his companions, Ms Rosalind Smith, aged 33, of Christchurch, and Mr Langley, had intended to tramp from the headwaters of the Wanganui River in South Westland through the Garden of Eden area to the Perth and Whataroa rivers.

However, bad weather held them up for five days on . the mountain, Mr Richards said yesterday. The wind de- ' molished their tent. v

On Monday morning the weather improved and they “got off the tops” to the Lord River in rugged mountain country at the head of the Wanganui River. ' They , bivpuaced in the ' shelter of a rock near the Lord River, .below the snowline, and rationed their food, Mr Richards said.

On Tuesday morning, Mr Richards set out for .help, with Ms Smith staying with Mr Langley, who had frostbitten feet.

Mr Richards tramped for about B‘/ 2 hours, catching up with Constable Peter,? Bennett, ofßoss, who arranged a helicopter rescue. Z Ms Smith-ji'nd'.. Mr -Langley were airlifted but at?s p.m. :Mr Langley' was flown straight to Grey Hospital.