THE TARARUAS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11246, 26 June 1922, Page 4

THE TARARUAS

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ADVE.YH ROES trips across THE RANGE;/ IHK WAV iO -LI KLIPS GATKS." A member of ilio relict' party winch want in sadi m Holtons and Kiltie on the Tararium l.'ist. neek was g.uoif enough to lend his copy Of Girdlestone's “Trip Across the Tarurua Ranges, ” with u preface by Mr W. H. Field, M.P. Prom it we gather the major portion of the following particulars, which will bo of special interest in view of the tragedy which has occurred. It is 15 years ago since the picturesque summits of the Tararua range, to be seen front Wellington looking up the Hutt Valley, snow-clad in winter. and mistakenly known as the Rimutakas, were explored for tourist purposes. A survey had been made in earlv days. and gold-seekers and sportsmen had penetrated far into the bush wilds of the hills from time to time, and more than one valuable life has been lost, but no one had attempted to cross the summits of the range from one side lo the other for “ pleasure and recreation purposes. ADVENTUROUS SPIRITS. A few years ago some botanists and other adventurous spirits conceived the idea of learning what the ranges could disclose. Among the earliest parties was Mr W. H. field, M.P.. and Alpha and Hector were crossed from either side. Subsequently committees were formed and a track was cut to the upper edge of the forest about 30C0 feet on either side of the range. Huts were built at Alpha and Taulierenikau, and so named, and these have figured prominently in the tragedy. The route was marked to enable travellers to cross with comparative safety. The starting point at Otaki Forks is so named because the three rivers, Otaki, Waiotaura and Waiutapia, join at this picturesque spot, and the opposite starting point i# Waiohine Valley, near Woodside. [This approach to Hector and Alpha can he seen from Greyt-own, but on Saturday, partly enveloped in mist and heavy overhanging clouds, with rain falling and a sharp southerly, the mountains looked grey and forbidding, bringing to mind the age-old saying, •‘Airhope abandon ye who enter here.” Anyone essaying the journey in winter should be in a party of a minimum of three, and should be in possession of all possible information, equipment, and also some idea of what the weather prospects are.] " UNIQUE TOURIST ROUTE. The magnificent forest, river and mountain scenery along the track added to the extensive interesting views obtainable in dear weather from Mt. Hector (3016 ft) and other peaks on the" range, and the botanical wealth of these regions render this tourist route unique amongst the walks of the Dominion. Numerous parties have crossed the range since it was first opened, and several parties of ladies have scaled Mount, Sector. Mr Girdleetone had made two at- „ tempts from which he had had to turn baok, but the 1914-15 report deals .Hath the soooeeeful trip don© at Easter time, when the weather was ideal after the first day. The party proceeded from Basset’s but and passed the Tauherenikau river and readied Alpha. They were in sight of Hector when the following statement was recorded: AT HELD’S GATES. ‘ We were now on the main range, as the summit runs from Ramutaka over Mt. Marchamt to Omega, and then takes a big bend to the west to Alpha and on to Mount Hector. From the •addle there is a sharp rise up a zigzag, which the men who were marking the track name ‘Hell’s gates.’ We ■were getting tired and did not wonder at the name after we had climber the 595 ft to the top.” The party recorded at a height of 4700 ft on Mt. Hector, and were enraptured by the panoramic view in all directions, while the botanists were almost in ■ ecstasies over their numerous finds. The journey dow'n to Otaki Forks was safely made, ijhe total walking time being 19 hours 5 minutes. Since then, however, numerous other tracks have been made, but now that the mountains have taken further toll of human life, it is possible that further efforts will be made to make provision in the way of shelter and more clearly-defined tracks. It might be jvell to place at intervals on the mountain at places an hour apart boards giving advice as to what to do and where to proceed in case of fog overcoming a party or in case of accident. There should surely be no difficulty in raising suffictaift funds: ho make those provisions which will make these tourist routes even more safe to travel than they are to-day.