Tramping off limits for young

It will be another year at least before young families can soak up Manawatu's priceless views as the Department of Conservation (DOC) continues to wait for money to fix the path to paradise.

Rangiwahia track, which leads to the top of the Ruahine Range to reveal beautiful tussock plains, freshly fallen snow and amazing sunsets, is deemed too dangerous for young children after being swallowed countless times by a 30-year-old slip.

Palmerston North's DOC has been told it will be at least 2011 before any work can be done to improve the track.

Programme manager of user assets Andrew Mercer said more than $100,000 would be needed to fix the track.

The Apiti branch of DOC gets less than $2500 a year out of the national pool of money to maintain the track to a basic level, but more money is expected to be spent on the track next year.

Until then Mr Mercer doesn't recommend the track for beginner trampers, and definitely not for children under seven.

A few markers on tree stumps and posts in the ground were the only guides for walkers and it became very steep in places, he said.

In 2002 about 6000 trampers used the track each year, but as the path has deteriorated that number has halved.

- © Fairfax NZ News