Te Araroa Trail Opening 26 th February 2006

David Dittmer and I represented LWTC at the official opening of Burttons Track by PM Helen Clark and Conservation Minister Chris Carter.After unveiling a plaque at Gordon Kear Forest Helen Clark led a party of 85 trampers through the track originally created by James Burtton.Lunch was the largest picnic I have ever encountered in the bush.At the southern end of the track 2 other memorials were unveiled .The walk takes about 5 hours including several river crossings.4 wheel drives then took us to the Mangaore hall for refreshments.

David stared the walk at the tail of the long crocodile and managed to get involved with an elderly man who was in trouble very early on the way.He arrived rather late at the hall having come via a helicopter ride to Palmerston North hospital then driven back to Shannon.His SAR skills to the fore again.