Rescued tramper praised for record keeping

An overdue tramper found today in the lower North Island's Ruahine Ranges is being praised for detailed entries he made at each of the huts he stayed in.

But police have suggested it would have helped if the 45-year-old Palmerston North man had carried a mountain radio.

The tramper was found by the Square Trust rescue helicopter at the Mid Pohangina Hut after a search of his intended route.

Helicopter pilot Guy Beange said the man was fit and well and praised for his record keeping in the hut log book -- information that quickly led the rescue helicopter to him.

He had made detailed entries in each of the huts he had stayed in and had stuck to his plan.

He had been offered a lift back to his car and gratefully accepted.

The man set out on Saturday morning, expecting to finish his tramp yesterday afternoon.

He had failed to turn up and his wife alerted police late last night, Palmerston North search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Bill Nicholson said.

Bad weather on Monday had forced the tramper to spend an extra night at Ngamoko Hut, and with the weather not improved this morning he had decided to walk out via the Pohangina River.

"It would have been helpful if he had carried a mountain radio," Mr Nicholson said.

- NZPA