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Whakapapa cliff rescue exercise

Cliff and face rescue teams and police gathered with Tongariro National Park staff at Whakapapa recently for a familiarisation exercise on alpine rescue techniques. Team members, all experienced rock climbers and police from Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki, took part in the weekend exercise on 8 and 9 March.

The exercise began with an introduction to the park, the park radio system and a briefing on the Phillips Rescue Trust helicopter from Taupo, which also took part in the exercise, said one of the organisers, Ohakune senior ranger Lisle Irwin. The group practised their lowering techniques at Meads Wall ski slope before

setting off on a simulated search and rescue. Three members of the group assumed roles of trampers on the mountain who had left very little information about where they were going. A senior ranger at Whakapapa, Paul Dale, who took part in the exercise, said that they tried to make the incident similar to the

kind they have to deal with. "Search and rescues often arise from people not leaving adequate information about where they are going," he said. The trampers flew onto a rock ledge on Pinnacle Ridge on Whakapapa Skifield and were sighted by searchers later that night. The following morning, one of the trampers who had simulated wounds and a broken leg, was lowered down the 400-metre cliff. These rescue teams have the expertise to lower injured persons from high bluffs and can take part in all types of rescues including those in high alpine afeas. They could be used in a large-scale search and rescue in this area if needed.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIBUL19860318.2.19

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 40, 18 March 1986, Page 6

Word count
Tapeke kupu
269

Whakapapa cliff rescue exercise Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 40, 18 March 1986, Page 6

Whakapapa cliff rescue exercise Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 40, 18 March 1986, Page 6

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