Climbers scour bluffs in hunt for missing man
Specialist climbers and a search and rescue dog have been brought in to help with the search for a man believed missing in Coromandel bush.
The search for Shannon Earle Makowharemahihi, 37, who has been missing for three weeks, has entered a new phase this week.
Makowharemahihi was reported missing on June 9 – seven days after he was last known to make contact with anyone.
On June 12 his hand-painted green Toyota Hiace van was found parked at the end of a gravel road a few kilometres from the carpark to Castle Rock on the western side of the peninsula.
Although an adventurous traveller, police say it is unusual for Makowharemahihi to disappear for such an amount of time.
It has been 20 days since Makowharemahihi last made contact with anyone, Sergeant Vince Ranger of Waikato police Search and Rescue said.
He sent an email and last used his cellphone on June 2.
‘‘And since then there has been nothing.’’ The search has focused in the area around where Makowharemahihi’s van was located in the area around Castle Rock, off the 309 Rd.
Yesterday around 16 people were pacing their way through dense and rugged terrain, checking creeks and high points for any sign of the man.
The landscape of Castle Rock was an undulating and rugged environment.
It was taking half a day to cover 2-3km, Ranger said.
‘‘It has been difficult to find any evidence of where he has gone in this environment.
‘‘It’s high risk, a lot of bluffs, very steep terrain, waterfalls – gnarly country.’’
A specialist search and rescue dog had been brought in from Rotorua to scour areas searchers were unable to reach.
Castle Rock was a popular climbing spot and a specialised rope team were scaling bluff areas, Ranger said. ‘‘Shannon has some climbing experience, and that’s why our focus is on Castle Rock area.
‘‘We don’t know whether he’s climbed there before – but he’s a man who enjoys adventure and pressing himself, and climbing is certainly one of the activities he enjoys.
‘‘He loves the outdoors and is very comfortable in a bush environment, and is comfortable to push boundaries.’’ Items found in his vehicle indicate he had intended to go climbing.
‘‘There are a number of bluff areas where you can go climbing, but primarily Castle Rock is a dominant feature that you’d naturally be drawn to.’’
Makowharemahihi is described as a spiritual person and often went into the bush to meditate. He lived a remote lifestyle, living in a caravan on the back of a property he shared in the Coromandel and frequently travelled the region.
His Christchurch based mother had travelled to Coromandel, and along with other family and friends were aiding the search team.
Makowharemahihi had upcoming events planned and there was nothing to indicate that something suspicious had happened to him, police said earlier.
Ranger said police would evaluate the search on a daily basis.