"Help us warn them" - DoC's plea

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 438, 27 May 1992, Page 1

"Help us warn them" - DoC's plea

Tongariro DoC staff are urging local accommodation and transport operators to frequently warn their overseas customers about the dangers of the Tongariro Mountains. This follows last weeks tragedy where a young tourist froze to death on Tongariro. On Friday 22 May the body of a young Turk-ish-German tourist was recovered from the slopes of Mt Tongariro by the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation working with the NZ Rail rescue helicopter. Conservation Officer Ian Goodison of Whakapapa said:"This person had been attempting to walk the Tongariro Crossing, a very popular summer day walk with both Kiwis' and overseas visitors. He attempted the crossing by himself, during high winds with rain and snow falling, after ignoring sound advice from people experienced in local conditions. He was clad only in jeans, light upper clothing, nylon parka and sand-shoes, and carried a very heavy pack containing all his travelling possessions. He appears to have been overwhelmed by the cold and subsequently died from hypothermia." "Visitors to Tongariro National Park are strongly advised that from May to November the walks in the mountains are in winter alpine conditions and appropriate precautions must be taken. People using the Tongariro Crossing and similar routes must not travel alone, and must be adequately dressed and equipped for alpine conditions. Mountaineering equipment such as iceaxes and crampons are

essential. Often it is essential to carry avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes as well." "Even during the summer months, warm and waterproof clothing must be carried. We see many visitors who are inadequately dressed walking around in the mountains in sandshoes and light clothing. Several months ago on Tongariro a guided party came across a lone tramper nearly dead from hypothermia. They saved his life. The whole incident would never have happened if the tourist concerned had been adequately clothed and in the company of others." "I would like to ask operators of accommodation facilities and transport services who have frequent contact with overseas visitors to impress upon their guests that there are lifethreatening risks involved in wandering around in mountains and bush alone and inadequately equipped. NZ is developing an image as a destination offering unique outdoor adventure. Many visitors have an agenda of outdoor experiences to achieve during their NZ trip, often in the form of personal challenges and exciting outdoor activities. It is often difficult to convince them that a particular action may be foolhardy and dangerous. However, I'm sure that a lonely death is not on anyone's agenda, and I hope that these unfortunate incidents will provide a clear example of what not to do in the outdoors." "All visitors should contact a Park Visitor Centre or Information Centre before their trip for up-to-date information about weather and mountain conditions.