Mountaineer’s story of solo trek popular

Press, 26 October 1989, Page 20

Mountaineer’s story of solo trek popular

PA Wellington School children throughout the country have been learning about the outdoors from a man who overcame mental and physical hardship in a 131-day trek along the South Island’s Main Divide. Michael Abbott is taking the message of how to enjoy the great outdoors — simply and safely — to groups and schools in 42 centres. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council enlisted his support. Mr Abbott, who made history this year when he overcame loneliness, exhaustion and inhospitable elements to complete the first solo south-north traverse of the rugged Main Divide, says it is not necessary to be an expert to enjoy the outdoors. For example, his own x-

next trip — a relatively sedate Milford Track crossing — will not require his ice axe and ropes. But audience interest in his epic journey remains high. The Dunedin man started from a Fiordland beach on December 17 last year and, four months later, was paddling in the sea off Farewell Spit. He had crossed the Main Divide 32 times, walked 1600 km and climbed 58,000 vertical metres which is equivalent to seven ascents of Mount Everest. He took a two-way radio, making contact with base each night and arranging food drops. He had a flare, compass, map and more than 10 years tramping and rock climbing experience. A solo trip like his is

not to be recommended, he says, but it gave him an excellent idea of what New Zealand must have been like 1000 years ago. In areas of Fiordland he made slow progress through dense growth where deer tracks were the only path. “One day I walked for more than 10 hours and covered only 7km,” he said.

He rates the sense of achievement from the trip as greater than when he completed his architecture degree. “It really is a valuable lesson to set goals and carry them through." One experience he remembers well is being snowbound for six nights in a hut at Lake Tekapo. He stayed in his sleeping bag and ate porridge infested with weevils. ft