 The party , each carrying a load of 75 pounds ( 34 kg ) , trekked to Lake Rotoiti and then climbed the high ranges that backed onto the lake . On 11 February , they saw Lake Rotoroa and made their way to its shores and spent two days exploring the area . They gained the Buller River on 18 February and walked its banks as far as the Maruia River . Here , believing themselves to be only 20 miles from the coast , dwindling provisions prevented them proceeding to the mouth of the Buller River . Guided by Kehu , the party traversed the Hope Saddle on their way back to Nelson , which they reached on 1 March . 
