The Boy with the Snowgrass Hair

Authors: Elsie Locke & Ken Dawson

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From the inside front flap: "Faced with a serious accident in an isolated forest hut; forced into a risky way of crossing a river; rescuing a sick tramper and helping find her lost companion; leading a school party astray in heavy fog - the boys and girls in this book are plunged into adventure on every mountain journey they make. In the thick of it all is Lou Callen, an undersized fifteen-year-old with hair the colour of tussock. On this first trip into the Canterbury back-country Lou finds that humping a pack over the Main Divide is vastly different from the bush tramping he did back in Auckland. However, he takes it all in his stride and though his 'walk-engine' sometimes runs a bit low on power, plugs on determinedly. He hardly realises there's an extra obstacle in the attitude of Tom, who doesn't want him to come at all. But Tom, the narrator of the story, can't help being caught up in Lou's activities, which range over six journeys in the rugged Southern Alps. River crossing, shingle slogging, scree sliding, ice chipping and scrub bashing; outwitting possums, falcons, wekas and wild cattle; battling against fog, floods, sandflies and even starvation; searching for a mystery route out of Westland; learning the routine of professional meat hunters and what really lured Arawata Bill - Lou's experiences crowd these pages in quick succession. All are based on real happenings known personally to authors Ken Dawson and Elsie Locke. Their account of Lou and Tom's explorations, set in the mountains, bush and broad river valleys of Canterbury and South Westland, will appeal to all 10-15-year-olds who enjoy action-packed stories of outdoor life based on true incidents."

National Library of NZ Entry

Continuing my exploration of Elsie Locke’s works, I recently enjoyed The Boy with the Snowgrass Hair, a thrilling departure from her historical narratives. Co-authored with her hiking companion Ken Dawson and published in 1976, this adventure novel follows young trampers navigating the rugged South Island mountains. Brimming with vivid landscapes and heartfelt camaraderie, it’s a captivating read for adventure enthusiasts.

The story centres on 15-year-old Tom Travers, an avid tramper who loves the South Island’s wild terrain. Reluctantly paired with Lou Callen, a smaller, inexperienced boy with an irrepressible spirit, Tom initially bristles at the partnership. Lou’s infectious enthusiasm and resilience soon win him over, especially after Lou perseveres through mishaps that earn Tom’s respect. Their evolving friendship, with Lou emerging as a standout character, forms the heart of the novel. Subtle character development adds depth, particularly as Lou grapples with good-natured teasing about his size and navigates tensions with his father, finding resolution by the story’s end.

Structured as six standalone tramping adventures, each chapter is a self-contained expedition accompanied by a hand-drawn map that invites readers to trace the journey. From encounters with mischievous keas to navigating snow, injuries, lost trails, and dwindling supplies, the book covers the full spectrum of tramping challenges. The settings—real South Island locations like Mount Aspiring—are brought to life through Locke’s evocative descriptions. A memorable passage captures the awe of a moonlit mountain vista:

The cloud was gone and the moon was up. Before me was a scene so awesomely beautiful that I could only say something ordinary. 'Wake up, Lou!' I pushed his shoulder gently. 'I can see now where Old Man Waiatoto gets all that water from.' Lou stirred, looked up in a puzzled way and then rolled into position beside me. Once again he had only one word. 'Mighty!' It stretched out into the stillness. Before us rose an ice-clad massif tipped with milky light, surrounded by peaks and neves and walls of granite and glaciers and a chaos of icefalls. We gazed for a long time without speaking and then Lou said, 'What is it, Tom?' 'Mount Aspiring in full evening dress. It can't be anything else; I've seen its picture too often. The monarch of West Otago. That's Stargazer to the right, then Moonraker, but the one that points to the sky, that's Mount Aspiring.' "Beautiful mountain, beautiful name,' said Lou. 'I shall never believe it. I shall never believe this is me.'

The Boy with the Snowgrass Hair, Elsie Locke, page 146, Whitcoulls, 1976.

These poetic moments, paired with the maps, immerse readers in the trampers’ world, making the landscape a character in its own right.

The Boy with the Snowgrass Hair is a thrilling adventure for readers aged 10 and up, blending action, friendship, and the beauty of New Zealand’s wilderness. Its episodic structure and vivid prose make it ideal for family read-aloud or independent reading. The hand-drawn maps enhance engagement, while the realistic settings inspire curiosity about tramping and geography.

Parents should note the occasional use of the word “hell” as a mild swear word. I found no other content concerns.

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