Everyone's heard stories of those large, human like creature's roaming around wild bush & mountainous regions throughout the world. Distant or fleeting glimpse's, or over sized foot prints have been reported of the "sasquatch" (or big foot) in North America, the "Yeti" in Asia & the "Yowie" in Australia. But did you know NZ has it's very own stories of a large, hairy, ape like creature, known as the "Moehau Man".
The "Moehau Man" is named after the range of mountain's in the Coromandel, where many of it's sightings were reported to have been made. These began in the early 1870's- 1880's as "gold miners" explored deeper & deeper into the forest, looking for places to stake their claim's. Stories began to be told of men being scared by large, extremely hairy hominid like creature's, with arms reaching down to around it's knee's, & with distinct odours. These creature's were said to have long exaggerated fingers, perhaps even talon's or claw's. Then later, more ominous tales began to emerge, of prospector's being mauled or killed.
Since then there have been numerous reports of sightings or evidence of the Moehau man throughout NZ, but largely from the Coromandel area.
The most significant of these were :
- large human like footprints embedded in mud along a creek in 1903 by minors in the Karangaihake Gorge.
- 2 hunters reported briefly seeing a large hairy man running along the track on the Coromandel Peninsula in February 1952.
- an ape like creature was seen running along a track bed on the Coromandel Peninsula in 1963.
- An Australian tourist reported seeing a "gorilla like" creature, as she bush walked in the Coromandel Region in 1969.
- In 1972, 2 men were hunting pig in the Coromandel Ranges when they spotted a 6 ft, naked man covered with dark hair moving through the scrub, about 150 mts away. When they reached the spot foot prints measuring 35 cms long were found.
So, always be aware when your out enjoying the beautiful bush tracks here in NZ, because you just never know what you might come across.
The "Sledge" track has been under-going a lot of maintanence recently, & is a lot nicer to walk on than it used to be, making it an ideal 1/2 day walk.
The council sign suggests it take's 5-6 hours there & back, but I would say for most people it would be less than that.
The walk as far as "the elevation" steps is reasonable going, as it has been for a while. The steps up to the "view point" are harder going, but after that it's a steady climb to the "turn off", & an easier walk to the mines. There is a sign at the bottom of the steps saying the rest of the track is for experienced trampers, but in our opinion, that seem's a little excessive. As long as your well prepaired, with warm clothes, rain gear etc in case the weather turns nasty, it shouldn't be a problem for most people. The track is clear & easy to follow, although still a little muddy at times.
NOTE:- Our GPS was struggling under the tree's, so the co-ords could be a little rough. However, we have tried to make the hint very specific, so you should find it OK. Better co-ords would be appreciated.
Please continue 30 mts up from GZ to see "Yeti's" lookout.