Search Parties Were Concentrated On One Track Up Mountain

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1948, Page 6

Search Parties Were Concentrated On One Track Up Mountain

OHAKUNE, Saturday, (“Chronicle’ Staff Reporter).—With the exception of one party, all search efforts were made from Horopito, at the direction of the police. This enabled a check to be kept on all those who entered the mountain area. A party ol six young men from Ohakune left last night for the Blvth Hut. Alter spending the night there, they tramped to the wreckage in the morning and there joined up with the Horopito parties. I’hcy assisted in the removal of the victims to Mangaturuturu Valley base. The need for adequate and suitable equipment for those taking part in searches in mountain areas was brought forcibly to the notice of man\ of those who took part in the search. Although the police endeavoured yesterday to slop ill-equipped persons joining the parties, a number of light boots or shoes got through, but in most cases they did not get any farther than the Mangaturuturu base. There was, however, a big chance of t hese men becoming a liability had the weather backed up. One man who wished to join a party on Friday arrived in tennis shoes. His services were promptly declined. Even men with some experience in tramping found the going hard on their feet. These men. however, arrived well prepared for climbing and spending a night, in the ooen.