Floods lake Milford Track Walk Perilous

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26959, 20 December 1948, Page 4

Floods lake Milford Track Walk Perilous

Parties of excursionists on the Milford Track last week had some unenviable experiences owing to the exceptionally heavy rain that had fallen in the West Coast Sounds region. It was reported that nearly 11 J inches of . rain were recorded at Milford Sound on Sunday week. Heavy rain also fell on the following two days. , , A large party left Te Anau last Tuesday morning in heavy rain, and, after lunch at Glade House, set out for the track walk. They found the Clinton River a torrent, and one of the track hands had a narrow escape from drowning. Although every yard of the going proved hazardous, the party decided to continue, and the Pompalona Hut was reached in 'the evening, six hours after the start of the journey. Owing to the fresh snow on the Mackinnon Pass, the party spent the whole of Wednesday at the hut. Conditions had improved on the following day, and after climbing through deep snow at the top of the pass, they eventually reached Milford. Other parties are also reported to have encountered trying conditions.