Missing motorcyclists Andy McCallum and James Moore after being found in Akatarawa Forest. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Two motorcyclists who went missing in Akatarawa Forest north of Wellington last night say the experience has not deterred them from riding in the area.
James Moore and Andy McCallum hunkered down for a cold night in the bush after ditching their bikes when it became too dark to ride.
The alarm was raised just after 7pm when the men failed to return after setting off about 8am.
Initial searches failed to locate the pair and about thirty local riders, Police, Land Search and Rescue and the Westpac helicopter converged on the area at first light this morning.
The men were found shortly after 9am.
McCallum said the pair made the decision to spend the night after it became too dangerous to walk in the deep forest.
"There was quite a lot of cloud cover yesterday and then once you got underneath the trees it became pitch black very quickly," McCallum said.
Moore said he had brought a locator beacon on the ride but was unable to operate it in the dark.
"I had a brand new EPIRB with us and unfortunately it was user error. In the pitch black you have to peel a little sticker off, I couldn't do it, couldn't see it."
Moore said he had been riding in the area for nearly 40 years and was keen to keep heading out to his favourite trails.
His father-in-law Laurie Tracey said the pair needed a new lesson in their bush skills.
"There's a lesson to be learned. If you've got the gear learn how to use it properly. I knew they'd be all right. They've all done this sort of thing before," he said.
Moore's sister-in-law Tracey Petterson said she was hugely grateful to members of the local riding community who had given their time to search for the two men.
She said the pair were very experienced riders and the family was deeply concerned when they did not return before dark.
"The riding fraternity and the help from the community has been outstanding. It would be really nice to get something out there to thank them very much for all their help."
Petterson said the mood was "very sombre" as they tried to support Moore's wife Sandy before the men were found.
"It was more around coaching her about not harming her husband when they come out," Petterson said.
"My husband [Peter] who is very brave, spent six hours out there last night searching for them calling, whistling. I take my hat off to him [they] couldn't have a better brother-in-law, [Moore] won't be living this one down," she said.
