OVER THE RANGES.

Otaki Mail, 12 January 1923, Page 3

OVER THE RANGES.

A LAD OF SEVEN YEARS WALKS ACROSS. On Monday last Messrs J. A - Hodgson, August Anderson, Frank Z ill wood, Joe Udv, C. and R. Sayers left Carterton to cross the Tararuas, and after a somewhat, trying time arrived safely

at Otaki last evening. Leaving Carterton at 8 a.m. they set out for Wall’s wharc which was reached at 9.40 a.m., Mt. Reeves was reached at 1.30, lunch was partaken of, and then the mountain was scaled. The Tauherenikau hut was reached at 3.-15 p.m., and here the party camped for the night. On Tuesday they left Tauherenikau at 7.15, left at 11.0, and arrived at Alpha at 1.10. Wednesday broke wet and foggy and the party had a trying time. Part of the day was spent in cutting wood, photographing, and a general survey. Here they met a party of nine —Miss E. Marshall (Wanganui), Miss A. E. Mansill (Hataitai), Messrs A. V.

Williams (Wellington), E. Funnell (Wellington), C. Galliers (Petone), F. J. Marshall and 7-year-old son (Wellington), L. Prior (Wellington) and H. Ashley (Petone). The Wairarapa party left Alpha hut at 4.35 a,in. oa Thursday, arrived at the top 7.50 a.m. and then encountered a blizzard and very heavy rain. Mr C. Saver then returned to Carterton, leaving his mates to

come on. The hut at Mt. Hector was considered by tho party to be in the best possible place, but it has been suggested that Hampers from the Otaki side should carry and leave wood at the hut as none is available from the other side. The track from Woodside to the top of Hector was found to be good and impossible to miss, but the track from the top of Hector to Denuan should be cleared and pointers erected. All the old pointers are useless. Ncw-chums at mountaineering are warned against making the trip owing to the bad track, fogs, etc. The Wellington party were advised to retrace their steps on account of rough weather, but they decided to proceed and before noon to-day made their appearance al the Forks, all well. The seven-year-old lad stood the journey remarkably well, and is claimed to be the youngest to cross the ranges.