QUEST FOR GOLD

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1933, Page 2

QUEST FOR GOLD

THE PERILS OF THE WILDS

HARDSHIPS TO BE ASKED

WARNING .TO PROSPECTORS. fear of being marooned by suddenly-flooded rivers, and of encountering difficulties in untracked bush country, was- expressed last week by experienced Christchurch mountain, eers and deer-stalkers in regard to the unemployed party which is to be sent from Ashburton to prospect for o-okl in the Wilberforce river-bed and the Whitcombe Pass region at the head of the Rakaia River.

Stress was laid on the need for proper equipment for the men, who, it was stated, must, for the Whitcombe region, at any rate, possess climbing and bush experience as well as mining ability. It was (claimed that provisioning the camps would be one of the worst problems, since it would be impossible to take pack-horses into much of the country. The coming months were said to be the most suitable for any such prospecting venture, but it was added that the Wilberfore and Rakaia were never to be relied

on. , i “Floods will be the mam risk rttn by the prospectors, in my opinion," said a man who has shot over much of the high deer country, and _ has a deep knowledge of Rakaia conditions, “If they strike north-west weather, such as we have had recently, they will be in for a bad time. Otherwise, if care is shown, and the equipment is adequate, they should get on all right.”

DEEP GORGES AND HIGH BLUFFS,

The Whitcombe Pass is 4025 ft. above rssa level, and leads from the headwaters of the Rakaia to the Whitcombe River, a branch of the Hokitika River. It was stated that the only actual I respecting country . would be provided by the creeks on the West Coast side of the pass iin the Upper Whitcombe and it « tributaries.

In 1908. there was a. track up the Whitcombe River, and access from the West Coast side was comparatively easy. Since 1908, however, the track 'has become overgrown, and the bush has returned to its original .untracked condition. 'Many days of arduous effort are required to work through this region, for it contains deep gorges and high bluffs. Parties are always liable to be isolated in times of flood. The 1 first 18 miles up the Rakaia is a comparatively easy trek, consisting largely of “boulder-hopping.” The river, however, never follows the middle line of its bed, but weaves from side to side, cutting high banks everywhere it touches the s-ide of the valley. As a result, parties going; up the valley are from time to time compelled to leave the bed and serample up and over the high bluffs topping the sheer banks, bard going even for experienced men,

RISK OF SUDDEN FLOODS. The Whitcombe Pass is on the north side of the Rakaia, and the way behind Mt. Hutt leads men to the opposite batik, so* that to reach the /prospecting area on the Westland side, the Rakaia would have to be crossed. The crossing is usually fairly easy in the winter, bnt for the bulk of the year, with the nor’-westers sweeping the high ranges, heavy floods are fafrly common. The floods often c-ome unexpectedly, .and the rivers rise with great rapidity. “Horses are always a help to men crossing the Rakaia, and there are times when even horses cannot cross,” one climber said.

*Once the Louper is reached there is easy going on the west bank, and the only obstacle likely to he encountered in crossing the Whitcombe Pass would lie a mountain creek.