Clark returns to scene of guide's death

ANNE BRAUN-ELWERT

BACK TO NATURE: Helen Clark in the Two Thumb Range, part of the Southern Alps, during a five-day back-country ski tour. The former prime minister was in the same area last year with her guide Gottlieb Braun-Elwert when he died.

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Former prime minister Helen Clark has returned from New York to the South Island range where her guide and mentor collapsed and died last year.

Miss Clark, now head of the United Nations Development Programme, has spent five days trekking through the Two Thumb Range this week with Tekapo firm Alpine Recreation, which was founded by Gottlieb Braun-Elwert.

She was with a ski touring party in the Two Thumb Range on August 14 last year when Mr Braun-Elwert collapsed and died. Her eulogy for Mr Braun-Elwert, which was presented by her husband, Peter Davis, included her gratitude for having known the mountaineer.

"Over 13 adventures in the past 11 years, Gottlieb introduced Peter and me to alpine wonderlands and inspired us to take on trekking and ski-touring journeys we would never have thought possible."

Mr Braun-Elwert's widow, Anne, said Miss Clark had indicated last year that she planned to return to the area, and the date of the UN summer vacation had "worked in a nice way".

On this trip, Miss Clark and her party trekked through the range that now forms Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, making use of basic amenities and living simply.

- © Fairfax NZ News