Israeli tourist conquers Heaphy Track in a wheelchair

Photo / Thinkstock

An Israeli tourist is believed to be the first person to negotiate the Heaphy Track in a wheelchair, completing the 80km track from Collingwood to Karamea on Friday.

Paul Murray, from the Rongo Backpackers and Gallery at Karamea, said Arnon Amit was helped by his brother Nadav and friends Maayan Kalo and Gul Janvosky,

He had to negotiate rough terrain, go through a flood and tackle swarms of sandflies to complete the track in five days.

Mr Amit was injured in a car accident while doing national service in the Israeli Army in 2008 and lost the use of his legs. Before the accident, he was an enthusiastic outdoors person and has since managed to overcome his physical challenges and maintain his love of tramping.

He used a special off-road wheelchair manufactured in the United States and made of strong, lightweight titanium metal, Mr Murray said.

Minor repairs were required along the way.

Mr Murray said recent work by the Department of Conservation to improve the track surface and the width and stability of the swingbridges and other river crossings had made the Heaphy Track more easily negotiated by wheeled vehicles such as chairs, and mountainbikes.

The most challenging part was the first uphill section at the Collingwood end, from Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut. River crossings and sandy beaches also posed challenges; Nadav piggy-backed his brother across the narrow swingbridges and pulled him along the sand while Mr Kalo pushed from behind.

The friends were continuing their travels down the West Coast.