ADVENTUROUS TRIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 45, 22 February 1936, Page 11

ADVENTUROUS TRIP

MOUNTAIN AND LAKE AMONG THE SOUNDS On a large-scale map of the South Island Bligh Sound is separated from George Sound by less than half an inch. Lt took two men five days and four nights to cross from one sound to the other, and to accomplish this they had to build a raft and paddle the length of Lake Alice, had to camp at 5000 feet in heavy rain and a howling gale, and had to walk along precipitous gorges in a dense fog. Air E. J. Herrick, of Hastings, widely ’ known as a successful moose and wapiti hunter, and his guide, Air J. Muir,’ were the adventurers. They joined the H.M.S. Wellington at Wellington, and on Tuesday, February 4, wore landed at Wild Native River at the head of Bligh Sound. Their intention was to make their way to George Sound by way of Henry Saddle, linking up with the ship on the Saturday. They* travelled along Wild Native River until they reached a tributary branching to t'he right, and followed this up. When darkness fell they camped at a height of 3000 feet. Next morning, in thick fog, they walked along the top of the range to the head of Worsley, where they camped at 5000 feet. In search of moose and wapiti, Air Herrick has spent many unpleasant nights on the heights of Fiordland, but this was the worst in his experience. It was blowing a howling gale, and was raining heavily. So thick was it next morning that it was decided to change the route. It was realised that to go by way of Henry Saddle would almost certainly result in the sloop being missed. The alternative was to travel down Edith River, cross Lake Alice by raft, and | emerge upon George Sound by the narrow neck connecting it with the lake. On reaching Lake Alice they built a raft, tying the equipment which they desired to keep diy to long poles, which : were mpde to stand vertically from the deck. Tho pair took their courage in both hands and launched the raft on tho storm-tossed lake. The wind fortunately was behind rather than against them, or the progress thev would have made with the crude beech paddles would have boon negligible. As it was they travelled the length of the lake, four miles, in seven hours. Several times the wind took them to tho rocky shore of the lake, and one man had to stand waist-deep in water while the craft was pushed out. NHien an effort was made to use a tent as a sail, the wind took charge and robbed the navigators of any semblance of control. To make matters worse, the logs as they absorbed mflre water grew heavier, and the raft gradually settled further into the water. Tn fact most of the journey was made with the mon kneeling in water. But all bad things as well as all good things come to an end, and before dusk the head of the lake was sighted and a safe landing made. It. was onl\’ a short distance to George Sound, where they found the Wellington awaiting them. They were late by only a quarter of an hour