With the borders closed and more New Zealanders expected to head out tramping this summer, a set of safety videos have been created to prevent search and rescue callouts and fatalities on our most dangerous tracks.
The Mountain Safety Council has released a series of informative videos to prevent search and rescue callouts and fatalities. Photo: Supplied
The Mountain Safety Council has released videos for seven popular walking tracks, highlighting common risks, hazards and other track-specific advice.
Chief executive Mike Daisley said the videos aim to better prepare trampers for what they will face in the backcountry.
The organisation first released 12 track specific videos in 2018 and Daisley said independent research showed walkers and trampers who watched the videos had better awareness of hazards and where they needed to make key decisions, which resulted in a profound improvement in safety-related behaviour.
The crew spent 22 days filming on-location, walking over 250km and passing 18 backcountry huts all whilst carrying tens of kilograms of filming equipment including drones and video cameras.
The videos were produced in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, NZ Police, local LandSAR Search and Rescue volunteers, MetService, NZ Outdoor Instructors Association and organisations.
Screenshot of Mountain Safety Council tramping safety video Photo: Supplied
The most recent release includes the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail Pinnacles Walk in Coromandel, the Tararua Southern Crossing in Wellington, Mt Somers Tracks in Canterbury, the Copland Valley in Westland and the Gillespie Pass and the Rees-Dart Circuit in Otago.
It also includes a video on the Richmond Ranges Alpine Route.
In the eight years ending in 2019, 17 people were rescued and one person died on the alpine route in the Richmond Ranges, which is the northern end of the Southern Alps.
Daisley said the track, which is part of the Te Araroa, could be the most challenging part of the trail in due to isolation, rough terrain and variable weather conditions.
Screenshot of Mountain Safety Council tramping safety video Photo: Supplied
Heavy rain, strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures are common on the track even in the height of summer. The main risks are falling from exposed sections and drowning while crossing rivers following heavy rain.
The video shows people what they can expect, and where they should stop to reassess the conditions before pushing on.
The Mountain Safety Council also created a free app - Plan My Walk - which guides users to plan their journey with information from the Department of Conservation, MetService forecasts, severe weather warnings and track specific alerts and gear lists.
People can also add group members and assign an emergency contact, before sharing the plan with others.
