Journey makes Waiouru

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 250, 12 July 1988, Page 1 (Supplement)

Journey makes Waiouru

Six convicted criminals, a seasoned adventurer and a volley of supporters - they are the crew making a month-long pilgrimmage from Picton to Auckland to raise money for the Home and Neighbourhood Trust. Codenamed 'The Journey', the group left Picton on June 24 and intend to reach Auckland by the end of July, while not using the conventional routes.

The six offenders aged 17-24, were hand picked by reknowned mountaineer and adventurer Graeme Dingle using the criteria: that they must accept responsibility for their past offences and want to help themselves to change; that they must exhibit stickability and have the strength and courage to see the trip through to its completion. According to the group's public relations manager Robyn Kay,

the men are exhibiting these qualities and have already become an effective and cohesive team. The first leg of the trip involved kayaking the Cook Strait in four metre high swells that took the group t w o days to complete. By day six of The. Journey, weather conditions had deteriorated and looked set to stay that way. A number of the team including Graeme Dingle were suffering from chest

colds and coughs. By day nine they had reached Woodville, but half of the group were being treated with antibiotics for their conditions and decided to call a rest and recovery

day. The message conveyed by Graeme Dingle last Tuesday as the team made s 1 o w progress through the Ruahine ranges read: Turnpage two

'The Journey1 reaches Waiouru

Fromfront page snowing and things are looking pretty grim, but the forecast is for southerlies, easing tomorrow with a

fine outlook. Hope to make better progress. "Ever since we started The Joumey we have been dogged by strong southerlies and

it would be nice to be given a break for once." The weather remained true to form when the group made their weary way to Waiouru on Sunday evening, having finished an 80km cycle ride from the foot of the Ruahines. Tired and cold they made their way to accommodation provided in the army camp, for much needed hot showers and hot meals. Among the comments were references to sore behinds from biking the distance and generally, expressions of relief at being able to relax. A portable television appeared from nowhere, in good time to catch the second half of the A 1 1 Blacks versus Queensland rugby match. From Waiouru it is on to Ohakune and Mt Ruapehu, where the team will make the ascent to the top of the mountain road on

bikes. The bikes will be picked up by a Unimog truck for transport to the next stop. The team intend to descend via the Waikato Glacier before joining the Tongariro River on their way to Auckland. Money raised by the team for the Home and Neighbourhood Trust is in excess of $50,000

to date, but is still a long way from the anticipated $200,000. A sideline has been the sale of sweatshirts along the way which has proved lucrative. Pledges can be made by ringing the toll free line made available by the Justice Department, Turangi (074) 80100, up until July 29.