Relief at trampers’ return

Four trampers feared missing in the Tararua Range returned safe once heavy rain subsided.

Concerns were raised after the group failed to return to their car in Putara Rd, west of Eketahuna, on Thursday afternoon, but a police spokeswoman said they waited out the wild weather and have now returned safely.

Police were called after the trampers, who were due out by 2pm Thursday, had not been heard from.

About noon yesterday, they returned to their car and were making their way home.

The trampers had set out on Saturday and were planning to stay at Cattle Ridge Hut on Wednesday night, the spokeswoman said.

‘‘They were also planning to visit a number of other huts on their tramp.’’

The trampers, who are believed to be from Auckland, eventually exited at Putara Rd.

They were described as experienced trampers and had plenty of warm clothes, appropriate equipment and a personal locator beacon.

The rain had eased off overnight, but picked up again about 4am yesterday morning.

Police did not take action on Thursday due to wet weather, which had caused the river to rise to an unsafe level.

‘‘The river would have caused issues for anyone wanting to exit as well.’’

Acting Sergeant Tony Matheson said the bad weather triggered concern for the overdue trampers.

The police’s response was measured, so the trampers had time to vacate the park under their own steam, he said.

There was one other person, unrelated to the four trampers, who was waiting at Jumbo Hut until snow conditions improved, Matheson said.

He was liaising with the Department of Conservation to review her situation today, he said.

NIWA climate scientist Nava Fedaeff said the temperature reading for the nearest station in Pahiatua overnight was a low of 6 degrees. It warmed slightly from 7pm, where it was just 4 degrees, Fedaeff said.

The low last night was expected to be just above zero degrees, she said.