Trampers who found an abandoned campsite in the upper Waitotara Valley on Wednesday wondered if there might be a body somewhere near.
The police were informed about the campsite. It was on a ridge top in the Kapara Conservation Area, on the southern fringes of the Waitotara forest.
There was a single tent, with its fly blown off, sleeping bag, mattress, food, lantern, dog chain and other gear - all very wet.
No one had been there for some time, the Wanganui Tramping Club group believed.
Asked about such sites, Conservation Department (DOC) Whanganui ranger Jim Campbell said staff found them often and there would be others out there.