Adventure Magazine

Rescue from
Harper Pass
By Eric Skilling
Broken bones, helicopter evacuation, a broken X-ray
machine and a series of seemingly insurmountable
logistical problems solved with a big dose of famous
Southern Hospitality. One of the most undeniable
messages of the whole rescue is how we are all so
indebted to the skills, experience, and professionalism
of the members of Land Search and Rescue NZ –
LandSAR. Both the full-timers and the volunteers.
When the group of seven trampers set out from the
peaceful Otira township in the Southern Alps they
would have had no idea of the dramas lurking 40km
ahead. Admittedly the Harper Pass route is described
as “ADVANCED”, takes five days, involves several
river crossings and a couple of passes. However, this
was a well-equipped, fit, and experienced party, the
sun was shining, and the weather forecast promising.
What could possibly go wrong?
Having crossed the Otira, Otehake and Taramakau
rivers, and tackled Harper Pass itself on Day 1,
everything changed on Day 2. They had reached a
tiny, peaceful looking stream within smelling distance of
Hurunui No.3 Hut – signalling the end of a 7-hour day.
To say that Chris, one member of the group, is a
proficient tramper is like saying Sir Edmund did a bit
of rock climbing. Both him and his wife Annette have
conquered the equivalent of several Te Araoa’s over
the years. If ever you need some advice on a proposed
trip, they can offer more relevant and meaningful
information than any internet search. Chris is also
what you would call “old-school”, which became very
obvious as the events of the day unfolded.
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