How council worker and pilot stumbled across missing tramper, Graham Garnett, who was feared dead

More details have emerged about the miraculous three-week survival of a tramper missing in what has been described as “one of the region’s semi-wilderness experiences” in the Kahurangi National Park.

Yesterday, Upper Moutere man Graham Garnett, 66, was found sheltering at Venus Hut on the Leslie-Karamea Track.

He went tramping late last year in the Baton/Ellis River area and did not return as expected on December 30.

A major search operation was carried out by Land Search and Rescue, specialist teams, New Zealand Defence Force and the Rescue Co-ordination Centre along with many volunteers and supporters.

By January 15 there was no trace of Garnett and authorities made the difficult decision to call off the search – but promised they “remained ready to respond if new information came to light”.

Venus Hut. Photo / Department of Conservation

Garnett was found at the hut at about 2.30pm yesterday. Police said contractors working in the area made the discovery, and Garnett was rushed to Nelson Hospital and reunited with his family.

“This is an amazing result,” said Sergeant Jonny Evans.

“We are so pleased for Graham and his loved ones.

“Obviously he has been through quite an ordeal and everyone involved in the search is delighted to hear that Graham has been found alive.”

Graham Garnett went tramping in the Baton/Ellis River area of the Kahurangi National Park. Photo / Police

Police expect to release further details of Garnett’s time missing later today.

His family are yet to comment.

The Herald can reveal that Garnett was found by a Heliventures NZ pilot and a West Coast Regional Council staffer.

The pair were installing signs at Venus Hut for the Department of Conservation (DoC) ahead of a predator control operation.

Heliventures NZ chief executive Nicki McMillan posted about the rescue on the company’s Facebook page.

“We are thrilled with the great news, and while being immensely proud of our staff, there was a huge amount of luck involved,” she said.

“We were in the right place at the right time and are extremely happy and relieved for Graham and his family and friends, who have undoubtedly been through an extremely difficult time over the past few weeks.

“It is a fantastic outcome, a really great result.”

Venus Hut is located on the Leslie-Karamea Track, listed by DoC as difficult and “one of the region’s semi-wilderness experiences” in the national park.

It boasts 12 bunks, non-flush toilets and running water – though occupants need to boil before drinking.

A fellow tramper once reviewed Venus Hut saying it was “insulated, double glazed, spacious” and “nestled on a small clearing with bush surrounds”.

“It’s special … it is paradise,” they wrote on a travel blog.

“Features include a water tank and a well-stocked woodshed, mostly chainsawed to length and reasonably dry, an axe and … a logsplitter also provided.”