Merv Burke

My introduction to the outdoors began in Dunedin about 1943 with tramping the Otago Hills & skiing Rock & Pillar Range & Coronet Peak. I became an associate member of the New Zealand Alpine Club - Otago Section, was also a member of the Otago Ski Club.

In early 1949 was fortunate in being given a chance to join Mick Bowie and his team of Alpine Guides at Mount Cook - this was a great opportunity to gain further experience in a mountain environment. In 1951 I decided it was time to gather more work skills – entered the building trade, at first was mainly on cottage work then commercial & bridge construction. I returned to Mount Cook in January 1959 as a National Park Board Ranger - Chief Ranger 1961 to 1967. I then moved to Mount Aspiring National Park in early 1967 as Senior Ranger - the first Ranger based at the southern end of the Park.