Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) supports the Canterbury/West Coast Air Rescue Trust. To make a donation to Air Rescue Services in Canterbury/West Coast please visit www.airrescue.co.nz.

WANTED: High resolution, quality digital photographs (4MP+) of broad areas (elevated views of valley systems, mountain faces, aerial photos, winter or summer etc) of Arthur's Pass National Park & Craigieburn Forest Park for use during SAR operations by APRES & Police. Specific areas of interest include Edwards Valley, Deception Valley, Otehake Valley, Taramakau Valley, Taipo Valley, Harper Valley, Cass Valley, Andrews Stream and Townsend Creek, but ALL photos will be appreciated. Should you have such images, and are prepared to donate them, please email them to rescuephotos@apres.org.nz. Many thanks!

The following accident reports contain information provided by the Police, Westpac Air Rescue, Ambulance Service, Climbers and SAR recovery teams.

Fatalities in APNP/Craigieburn - 1926 to Present
Drowning	Falls	Avalanche	Exposure	Landslide	Hunting	Aircraft	Natural	Other
28	48	12	3	5	1	5	5	2
Non-fatal incidents in APNP/Craigieburn - 1998 to Present
Rivers	Falls	Avalanche	Exposure	Rockfall	Hunting	Overdue	Lost	Other
15	51	2	3	5	0	9	17	15
PLEASE DON'T BECOME A STATISTIC!

Avalanche Peak 5-02-10

A 23 year old female overseas tourist injured her knee whilst descending Scott's track on Avalanche Peak, she had another female companion with her. The alarm was raised to Police at 2000hrs by their mobile phone. A five person APRES team was despatched, finding the woman near treeline at 2130hrs. Iniatially not prepared to budge, eventually persuasion & encouragement allowed her to be assisted back to the Village by 0130hrs. Note: There was two previous incidents on this same track in the two evenings proceeding with overseas tourists under-estimating the daytime heat and amount of water required for this day trip - all suffered some form of deydration cramps and sun-stroke on their descent - cured by APRES runners supplying water.

Taipo River 16-01-10

A solo 56 year old male NZ tramper whilst exiting Scotty's cableway on the true-right of the Taipo River got his foot stuck on the cableway carriage; he slipped releasing the "cable key" brake, and was transported rapidly (hanging from the carriage) to a position over the middle of the high running river. Eventually his grip failed and he plunged into the river, striking the riverbed, then being swept a long distance downstream. He managed to get himself ashore. Having realised he had injured his back in the fall and was unable to walk, he triggered the EPIRB he was carrying (1900hrs). RCC in Wellington initiated a search (poor satellite postioning gave initial errors as he was in the Taipo canyon). Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter and Westpac Air Rescue (stood down) were dispatched to the area. He was recovered by Solid Energy Rescue and taken to Greymouth Hospital.

Broken River 08-01-10

Three inexperienced overseas walkers set off from Avoca railway stn at 1100hrs on Thursday (7/1/2010) to descend the "Avoca Incline" into Broken River and return via the Avoca Homestead in a planned 6-8 hours. Very heavy rain set in during this time flooding the Broken River; a concerned 4th member of the party raised her concerns with Arthur's Pass SAR at 1250hrs. It was decided that once the party became overdue (1900hrs+) that Police/SAR would be responded as there was considerable information lags caused by the travel times of the informant in & out of this area. At 2000hrs the informant visited Craigieburn Stn to attempt to ring 111, this was refused by Stn staff. As she had poor english and understanding of the situation she proceeded to Arthur's Pass and waited until morning (0750hrs 8/1/2010) to raise the alarm with DoC staff. An immediate response sent two members of Arthur's Pass SAR to Avoca, with search teams placed on stand-by. The 3 walkers had returned safely overnight - no injuries.

Taramakau River & Rocky Creek 4-01-10

A 34 year old male NZ tramper who has crossed over from the Lewis Pass area became trapped by flood-waters (heavy rain alerts were available 4 days earlier) at the Locke Stream hut on Sunday (3/1); alarm raised by DoC hut radio. This tramper was removed by helicopter during another search as it was obvious he wasn't prepared to move. It is worthwhile noting that on the morning of this "recovery", another tramper passed by this hut heading downstream, and successfully exited using flood routes (the tramper in the hut refused to even look at the river crossings below the hut when asked by this tramper). In the other incident, 2 hunters and their dog became 2 days overdue from the Rocky Creek hut area (Taipo River); a helicopter search by Coastwide Helicopters & West Coast Police determined that these people had successfully left the area.

Lake Mavis 23-12-09

A female tramper sustained a severely dislocated elbow after a slip on steep scree/tussock in the Lake Mavis/Mt Oates area. The alarm was raised by her companion descending to Goat Pass Hut and raising the DoC duty officer at 1830hrs by radio. The Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter from Greymouth was dispatched and recovered the patient.

Hamilton Hut 20-12-09

A 46 year old male tramper experienced shortness of breath & severe chest pains whilst on the Cass/Lagoon Saddle tramp. These continued overnight after arriving at the Hamilton Hut. The alarm was raised by radio from the hut on Sunday (20/12) morning to DoC, Arthur's Pass; ambulance was notified and dispatched the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter to the hut. The patient was taken to Greymouth Base Hospital.

Deception River 16-12-09

A female tramper (or Coast to Coast runner - unclear) dislocated her shoulder in a fall on Wednesday afternoon about 5km up the Deception River (Midday Creek) from the Morrison foot-bridge (several river crossings required in a swift Deception). The alarm was raised by a companion exiting at 1640hrs. Solid Energy Air Rescue from Greymouth was dispatched by ambulance and successfully extracted her at about 1830hrs; APRES stretcher teams were put on standby in case weather conditions or access was difficult for the helicopter.

Taramakau River 12-12-09

Three inexperienced NZ male youths tramping the Poulter, Minchin Pass, Townsend Creek route from Sunday (6/12) became entrapped by flood-waters at Kiwi Hut (Taramakau River) on Wednesday (9/12). Alarm raised by concerned parents on Saturday (12/12) to Police given the multiple heavy rain events in the region and the seriousness of the tramp. Coastwide Helicopters and members of APRES carried out a full route search in very poor weather conditions on Saturday evening, not made any easier by childish entries or no entries made in hut/biv books visited by this group. They were spotted waving for assistance at Kiwi Hut and recovered to Aickens, no injuries.

Goat Pass 11-12-09

Three NZ male teenage trampers travelled up the Deception River on Monday (7/12), after obtaining advice that there would be a dramatic turn in the weather later on Tuesday. Arriving at Goat Pass hut on Tuesday, they spent their time visiting the Lake Mavis area, then chose to stay a further night. Very heavy weather came in by Wednesday morning flooding all rivers in the region. They remained at Goat Pass hut until Friday, midday, when a lull between storms brought the Mingha & Bealey Rivers to a swift but crossable level. Three members of APRES simultaneously travelled up the Mingha, meeting them below the Dudley Knob area, so as to point out & assist in the lower river crossings, all out safe by 1500hrs as the next storm set in.

Pfeifer Stream 10-12-09

Ten Venturer Scouts left Aickens on Wednesday (9/12) to tramp the Harper Pass route; a heavy rain warning for the region was ignored (issued the day before) and the group became trapped between Pfeifer Stream and the Otehake River as both went into full flood. The group bivied this night in the bush before calling for assistance by radio on Thursday morning. They were airlifted out by West Coast Solid Energy Rescue to Jacksons. One of the group was suffering mild hypothermia.

Park Morpeth Hut 01-12-09

Late evening Mountain Radio Service received a call from Park Morpeth Hut that a tramper in a party of two had received severe burns from boiling water to his abdomen & thigh (18%); Ambulance was notified; Westpac Air Rescue attempted a flight but could not proceed because of extremely poor visibility. Police SAR were then notified at 2100hrs to get a land crew together to guide a paramedic urgently to the site; APRES responded with a team but a high Wilberforce River meant access would be dangerous by night and could not be achieved until light; further investigations through Mountain Radio at 2300hrs determined the patient had received pain killers and was not considered to be in a life threatening status. Mt Hutt Helicopters and Methven Ambulance was put on standby for first light should the weather clear. At 0530hrs Mt Hutt retrieved the trampers successfully, APRES was stood down. The patient is believed to have 2nd degree burns.

Mt Cheeseman Skifield 29-11-09

A group of French paraglider enthusiasts were using the Mt Cheeseman access road for flights. On takeoff one of the pilots crashed heavily into rocks breaking his wrists. He was not carrying his communications radio as he had forgotten it and could not raise the alarm; luckily a guided walking group was in the area and had witnessed the crash, they evacuated the pilot to the upper carpark where he was collected by his compatriots and driven to hospital.

Deception River 21-11-09

Six trampers (associated with Coast to Coast event) set off in poor conditions (a heavy rain watch was current) on Saturday (21/11) up the Deception River to tramp the Deception/Mingha Route in one day. High river levels, poor fitness, and very poor preparedness in the party eventually prevented them from progressing further or returning. Police were notified after dark that night of them being overdue by a party member who remained at Klondyke Corner camp; by this stage rivers had come into high and uncrossable levels, and the weather had closed in with poor visibility. A listening watch for the Goat Pass Hut (that was put on that day from 1400hrs because of Coast to Coast competitors being delayed) heard nothing from this party. At 0100hrs on Sunday communications were established with the missing party through a hand-held radio they were carrying by Red Cross from the Morrison footbridge; they had stopped in the Gorgy Creek area and were residing in a rock overhang (cold & wet). Communications with the party early morning had determined 3 of the party were hypothermic and Coastwide Helicopters was dispatched to recover the party of six in clearing weather. None of the party required medical attention.

Otehake Valley 15-11-09

Three trampers (2M, 1F) set off on Friday 13th to travel via the Edwards Valley, Otehake Valley, and exit at Aickens on the Taramakau on Saturday 14th. They became overdue on the DoC Intention system at 0900hrs on Sunday (15/11), Police & SAR West Coast were notified (a severe change in weather conditions had also arrived on the Saturday night). Initial investigations by APRES confirmed they had not exited, rivers in the region went into flash-flood in the interim. As they had allowed inadequate time for this route, current poor weather for ground teams or flights, and there was another known party (not overdue) on the identical route it was decided to wait until mid afternoon. The other party exited via flood routes at 1330hrs on Sunday, they reported overtaking the missing party about an hour down-stream of West Otehake Hut (Saturday), then noted the party never arrived at the hot spring by 1930hrs, and with deteriorating weather they proceeded to camp near Lake Kaurapataka (still no sign). The missing party had in actual fact abandoned their descent of the Otehake returning eventually to Edwards Hut at 1400hrs on Sunday, and had attempted to radio their situation (unfortunately the HF radio system was inadequate in these weather conditions and their transmissions did not get picked up), they wisely decided to stay put because of the flooding river systems. Flood routes at both ends were searched by APRES on Sunday evening. The trampers exited the Edwards Valley at 1027hrs Monday.

Avalanche Peak 11-11-09

Two male overseas trampers set off on Tuesday (10 Nov) over Avalanche Peak to Crow Hut in poor weather conditions. In the late afternoon they accidentally dropped their "Spot" Locator Beacon over an rock/ice-cliff enroute and couldn't recover it. They continued to Crow Hut. At 0600hrs, Wednesday (11 Nov) a parent of the one of the party from the USA reported to NZ Police that the beacon had ceased movement on the ridge between Avalanche Peak and Mt Rolleston and had concerns for the safety of his son. RCC (Wellington) & APRES were notified; prelimenary investigation ascertained that the beacon had moved about 150m north between 0638hrs & 0738hrs (in retrospect satellite error or a Kea) then ceased to transmit location data (a 24hr reset is a function of these beacons); a binocular search in poor visibility revealed a "possible" person sighted on the ridge at 0830hrs, but after this the weather closed in completely with unpredicted rain and snow showers. An APRES ground party was put on standby. As this was an abnormal EPIRB search (the emergency button not pressed) it was decided to wait until midday and reassess the situation giving the trampers time to exit in normal time. At 1230hrs an APRES member investigating the Klondyke Corner area encountered the two trampers and the pending search stood-down.

Tarn Col 09-11-09

Three trampers became "stuck" whilst descending steep unstable snow/ice from Tarn Col to Taruahuna Pass, they did not have iceaxes or crampons. The alarm was raised by setting off their EPIRB at 1230hrs. WestPac Air Rescue tracked the beacon (as satellite positioning put them on Trudge Col) and recovered them. An APRES team was put on standby in case the helicopter could not make the recovery.

Tarn Col / Otehake 03-11-09

Two trampers were reported 16hrs overdue later on Tuesday (3/11) after failing to return to Christchurch on the Monday, after a planned tramp Edwards Valley to Hawdon Valley via Tarn Col. With deteriorating weather & their vehicle still present, a quick search by Arthur's Pass locals failed to find the trampers at either approach. At 2130hrs the trampers emerged at Aickens after a 16 hour descent of the Otehake River valley, after missing Tarn Col and deciding to continue their descent of the Otehake from West Otehake Hut rather than retrace their steps. An APRES member was dispatched to Aickens to recover them at 2200hrs.

Mt Rolleston 12-09-09

On Saturday 12-09-09 two male ski-mountaineers (18 & 22y.o) ascended the Otira Slide route to Low Peak of Mt Rolleston. On descent via the Goldney Glacier they headed into the large gut that descends from the "Gap" on Rome Ridge. Part way down this descent they encountered a 25m ice step in the narrowest part of the ravine, they set up an abseil, the younger climber abseiled first, on disconnecting from the rope he punctured through the weak ice-bridge on which he was standing; the climber and all his equipment fell into a very narrow waterfall bergschrund (1700hrs). His companion attempted a rescue for 2 hours but with no success, before skiing & running out to Arthur's Pass village to raise the alarm (2100hrs).

A storm had settled on the mountain, a night-time rescue was deemed too dangerous as this part of the mountain and approaches are it's most active avalanche paths; a morning (13-09-2009) helicopter search & subsequent multiple site surveys by the Christchchurch Alpine Cliff Rescue (ACR) team determined that the area was still too active with avalanches/icefall. A further assessment was made by the Mt Cook ACR team in the afternoon however similar poor conditions prevailed. A further survey on Monday (14-09-2009) morning by Mt Cook ACR found that conditions were still too unstable in the gut (the bergschrund had also been back-filled by debris). The search was stood down on advice that survivability was now improbable. An APRES team on the Bealey Slide reported further Class 1-2 avalanches in the ravine throughout the remainder of this day; a severe storm overnight released a Class 3 slab avalanche into the ravine. The climber will likely be recovered as summer melt progresses.

Flock Hill Rocks 16-08-09

A male rockclimber fell 4-5m from a boulder problem he was free climbing in the Flock Hill climbing area during a filming exercise late afternoon (the rock was wet, they were predrying hand-holds using a blow-torch). Injuries sustained in the fall included a broken lower leg. The alarm was raised (1824hrs) by one of his companions who returned to Flock Hill Station. Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter was dispatched (1854hrs) from Greymouth flying using infrared equipment through the Alps, a land Ambulance was also dispatched from Darfield in case the helicopter was grounded. Both Springfield & Sheffield Volunteer Rural Fire were called to the site. With failing light and increasing poor visibilty it became clear that a long stretcher carry may be necessary, Arthur's Pass Rescue dispatched 14 persons (made up of Arthur's Pass, South Westland & Nelson SAR members, as a technical first aid course was being run locally) to the site arriving at 1945hrs. The helicopter had difficulty finding the accident site due to very poor visibility and persons on-site having inadequate signal lighting; eventually they winched a paramedic to site who stabilised the patient by 2012hrs. After further difficulties (high rocks surrounding the site in very poor visibility), the patient was eventually winched aboard (2107hrs), and transported to Flock Hill Lodge where he was transferred to land ambulance for the journey to Christchurch Hospital. The rescue helicopter was grounded at Flock Hill Lodge overnight due to zero visibility throughout the Alps, eventually being able to leave at 1041hrs the following day (immediately heading to Harihari for another incident).

Many thanks to the masses of volunteers who dropped everything to attend an increasingly complicated incident.

Mt Rolleston 29-06-09

Simultaneously at 0845hrs, both DoC (through the intention system) & via a phonecall from a concerned friend it was reported that a pair of NZ climbers (well prepared & experienced) had failed to return to Christchurch after an intended ascent of the Crow Face/Rome Ridge, Mt Rolleston. Police were notified. A quick search by APRES confirmed their vehicle was still at the Coral Track car park, and there was no sign of them nearing the Otira Valley car park (they had a mountain bike hidden here), a further bino search of both sides of Rome Ridge saw nothing (though mist made visibility poor). Two APRES field parties were dispatched to Rome Ridge and Otira Valley, ACR (ChCh Cliff Rescue) was put on standby, as was Coastwide Helicopters, given the rapidly deteriorating weather and poor flying conditions should a more intensive search be necessary. At midday the Rome Ridge search team encountered the two overdue climbers just above treeline, they were in good health after spending a night in a snow cave near the East Crow Glacier after aborting their climb late the previous day due to poor conditions.

Mt Rolleston 20-06-09

This incident was complicated by the presence of 11 simultaneous mountaineering parties (size 1 - 4 persons) being on numerous routes on Mt Rolleston, the DoC radio system being made inoperative by a repeater fault, a simultaneous SAR event in the Sudden Valley area, and incomplete information being provided on some Intentions Cards at DoC that were submitted by parties performing alpine starts.

At 1510hrs Police received a '111' call from a party of 3 overseas climbers descending the Otira Slide route of Mt Rolleston. A climbers pack had fallen down the ice-slopes from above them, followed a little later by a set of mountaineering gloves. At the time they were about 200 metres vertically below the low summit; they waited and shouted for some time hoping for a response from a party above - but this did not occur - they rang Police using a mobile phone from Goldney Ridge. A rapid check of carparks by APRES confirmed numerous unreturned mountaineering parties, and an interview with two successful Rome Ridge climbers established the presence of 2 other parties possibly traversing Rome Ridge/Low Peak route. With failing light, and no sign of another descending party it was decided to dispatch Westpac Air Rescue to Arthur's Pass as they are night-vision & winch equipped. The party of 3 continued descending, leaving the pack with another set of climbers snow-caved at the head of the Otira Slide west of Goldney Ridge.

Westpac Air Rescue arrived at 1640hrs, proceeding with paramedics and 2 APRES climbers to Mt Rolleston flying the Rome Ridge circuit into the Otira Valley - flying conditions were poor with strong SE winds across all ridges making flying unweildy. A difficult skid landing near the snow-cave climbers, confirmed further information that a party of 4 climbers was currently descending the upper Goldney Ridge. Another flight found these climbers roping a slow descent - 3 out of 4 climbers had packs - they indicated to us that they were OK (we requested this signal twice) - the Westpac Crew then received an EPIRB dispatch call from RCC in Wellington for another event elsewhere. It was estimated that these climbers were about 45-60mins from safer ground, and would obviously intercept the climbers with their pack. The helicopter was stood-down. Eventually (as other parties were accounted for) it was confirmed that the party in question (4 male climbers) did indeed ascend the Rome Ridge route, and had their vehicle parked at the Bealey Valley. APRES placed an hourly watch at & up the Otira Valley awaiting their return. At 2030hrs when there had been no sign, the incident was reinitiated, placing 5 APRES personnel on standby. Profiling of the climbers established that 3 of them had extensive mountaineering experience, would be well equipped, and would be making good decisions. Police decided that the situation could be reassessed at first light (0630hrs). At 2345hrs APRES received a call from a Ferguson's snow-plough driver (who was alerted to this event earlier in the evening) that climbers had just exited the Otira Valley. At midnight it was confirmed that the 4 climbers were safe; after becoming benighted on the mid-Goldney Ridge they had then become bluffed on the final descent; the snow-caving climbers had then assisted their descent navigation. The pack that was dropped actually slid from the Low Summit crest during a "lunch-break" spewing it's contents down the Otira Slide.

Sudden Valley 20-06-09

A solo male tramper was reported as overdue to Police when he failed to turn up in Christchurch by 1630hrs. It was proposed to the person holding his intentions that he would be in ChCh by midday (his intentions were for Sudden Valley OR Mt Rolleston). Whilst an APRES member checked all Mt Rolleston entry point carparks, another two APRES members were dispatched at 1655hrs to the Hawdon Valley to check for his vehicle. Darfield Police also commenced towards Arthur's Pass in order to check the highway (also in response to the 2nd incident above). No vehicle was found at any site. At 1819hrs the search was stood-down when the gentleman was found safe at home.

Taruahuna Pass / Tarn Col 15-06-09

An emergency beacon (PLB) distress signal was received at the Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington on Monday afternoon. The Westpac Air Rescue Helicopter was dispatched from Christchurch flying to Taruahuna Pass. A 50 year old woman had fallen then slid 150 metres down tussock & rocks (snow and ice present) in the Tarn Col area. She suffered ice grazing, bruising and a dislocated thumb in the fall. Her son went to her aid setting off the beacon after he had placed her in a sleeping bag as she was in shock. She was transported to Christchurch Hospital.

Otehake River 10-06-09

At approximately 1500hrs a PLB distress signal was received at the Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington. The Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter based at Greymouth was dispatched flying to an area in the upper Otehake River (near Lake Sally Stream confluence). A female tramper, part of a large Polytech group, had been injured in a rockfall crushing her leg. She was flown to Greymouth Base Hospital.

Red Beech Stream 30-05-09

Two hunters were climbing on the lower slopes of The Dome, when one lost his footing going up a steep embankment and fell. The patient, a 20 year old male, sustained moderate head injuries and a broken neck (C1,C2,C7 unknown to them at time), but together with his mate, was able to self evacuate down to open ground near the entry to Red Beech Stream. His mate then went for help and the patient was recovered by Westpac Rescue Helicopter and flown to Christchurch Hospital. Arthur's Pass Police, Ambulance and SAR members also attended, as well as the owner of the Bealey Hotel.

Porters Ski Field 26-05-09

Broken River Area 19-05-09

A 21 year old female tramper suffering from reoccuring seizures in the Craigieburn Forest Park (near Jacks Pass on the Broken River access road). She was part of an organised group. Some members of her party were sent out to the Broken River road, flagging down a passing van which happened to be Outdoor Centre staff with coms and extra support. Patient was stretchered to road (approx 300m) and transported to Craigieburn Shelter to await Westpac Rescue Helicopter. She was flown to Christchurch Hospital at approx. 1700hrs. Recovery by Castle Hill Outdoor Centre staff/APRES member.

Goat Pass 15-04-09

A 38 year old female tramper took a 2 metre fall on the route between the Upper Deception River and the Goat Pass Hut. She badly broke her wrist in two places (not a compound fracture - but close). She was in a tramping party of three, they decided, given the uneven terrain between Goat Pass Hut down the Mingha River, that further injury was inevitable so raised the alarm using the hut radio to DoC. WestPac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched from Christchurch, flying the patient to Christchurch Hospital; the remainder of the party walked out.

Crow Valley 15-03-09

A female tramper became extremely ill (nausea, immobile etc) whilst returning to Klondyke Corner from the Crow Hut (about 1km above the confluence of the Crow with the Waimakariri) at about 1030hrs. Other trampers also returning from the hut raised the alarm in Arthur's Pass village. Eventually her tramping partner also walked out, meeting Police SAR at Klondyke Corner. A medi-evac by Westpac Rescue Helicopter took place, she was transported to Christchurch Hospital.

Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) 8-03-09

A male rock climber was evacuated by helicopter (Westpac Rescue Helicopter ) with a fractured tibia after falling from a climb at the Castle Hill Rocks (foot jammed in rock crack during fall). Initial recovery & alarm raised by other climbers. He was transported to Christchurch Hospital.

Park Morpeth Hut 25-02-09

A male tramper was evacuated by helicopter (Coastwide Helicopters) from Park Morpeth Hut after suffering an eye injury sustained from a face-fall onto rocks in the Cronin Stream catchment. He was in a tramping party of four. Alarm was raised by Mountain Radio Service, after receiving a emergency call from the hut. He was evacuated to Arthur's Pass, examined by Arthur's Pass Ambulance and released. This Medi-Evac was carried out in conjunction with the overdue tramper rescue below.

Taipo River 25-02-09

A 26 year old male overseas tramper attempting the Waimak - Harman Pass - Taipo River route (with a variation to Browning Pass) became entrapped by flood waters after arriving at the Julia Hut on Thursday 19th (300mm+ of rain). After spending 4 nights at the hut waiting for side-streams to abate he headed downstream along the Taipo River. At the Scotty's Cableway he discovered the Taipo was running still too high for a successful traverse of the river to Dillons Hut. He retraced his steps, setting tent camp opposite the Hunts Creek confluence. He became overdue on the Arthur's Pass intention system on the morning of Tuesday 24th, Police were notified. Police SAR decided to allow him a further 24 hours to exit the tramp (ie. 36 hrs of extra time), given information about his ability and experience, and the extreme weather in the region. On Wednesday 25th Police/APRES commenced a helicopter (Coastwide Helicopters) search, retracing his route backwards we found him signaling for assistance near his campsite on the true-left of the Taipo River. He was evacuated to Arthur's Pass. He had no injuries.

East Otehake River/Walker Pass 08-02-09

On 7/2/2009 a 25 year old female tramper injured her ankle (severe sprain or fracture) near Tarn Col. With assistance from 4 others in her tramping party they managed to get to the East Otehake River to set camp (extreme swelling overnight prevented further progress). Another tramping party raised the alarm from Hawdon Hut. Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched from Christchurch, uplifting her and taking her to Christchurch Hospital.

Hawdon Valley 07-02-09

A 44 year old female tramper tripped and fell whilst descending the Hawdon River damaging her ankle (severe sprain or fracture) and unable to carry her own weight. Two of her party returned to Hawdon Hut using the radio to raise the alarm. Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched from Christchurch, uplifting her and taking her to Christchurch Hospital.

Mt Bealey 23-12-08

Two male 60yr+ overseas tourists climbed Mt Bealey via the normal track route. Whilst on descent they noted that another party was descending the "Bealey Scree" from the Low Peak (this experienced party included children), they decided to follow having no idea of the route ahead. When they reached Rough Creek they discovered the normal entanglement of trees and river crossings, and decided this route was beyond their ability. They returned to the base of the scree and used a cellphone (at 1830hrs) to notify police of their predicament stating they were unable to ascend back to the normal route, and were too exhausted to be led down. Westpac Air Rescue from Christchurch was dispatched to recover them. There's a lesson (albeit be it an expensive one) in here somewhere!

Waimakariri River 06-12-08

A 76 year old male tramper has died as a result of being swept away in the Waimakariri River. A tramping party of 9 persons heading to the Anti-Crow Hut chose to use the river route rather than the tramping track. Around 1030hrs whilst making a crossing of a double braid (in marginal conditions) in the Waimakariri River just above Turkey Flat two of the trampers lost their footings (crossing in a group of 3 apparently) and were swept about 700-800m downstream. The woman tramper managed to get ashore, suffering only minor lacerations, the male tramper was eventually dragged from the river by his companions, unconscious & not breathing, they commenced CPR to no avail. They triggered a 406 Emergency Locator Beacon (which gave a very accurate GPS location), this was almost picked up immediately by the Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington and Westpac Air Rescue from Christchurch dispatched. One of the trampers also rushed to Arthur's Pass to raise the alarm. Recovery performed by Westpac Air Rescue & Arthur's Pass Police.

Mt Philistine 26-10-08

A 38 year old local male climber has fallen from the Warnocks Bluff route on Mt Philistine whilst assumably descending through the 150m high cliff face on a solo climbing trip. The accident most probably occured on Thursday 23rd. The alarm was raised by friends in Arthur's Pass on Sunday morning after it became clear he had not been seen in several days and his vehicle was discovered in a local car park. He had not left his intentions. Arthur's Pass Police, Coastwide Helicopters and members of the APRES initiated a air & land search. The initial helicopter search discovered the climbers body at the base of the bluffs on Warnocks Knob, and made the recovery. It appears he has died from severe trauma received in the fall.

Avalanche Peak 26-09-08 (First "D.M.W." for season)

A young male U.S. tourist after failing to take onboard any advice on current alpine conditions when he spoke to DoC (though he was convinced to hire a locator beacon when it became clear he was going to climb ill-prepared anyway) - he obviously had no experience in an outdoor environment (let alone an alpine one). He chose to climb Avalanche Peak on the Thursday. He was carrying no mountaineering equipment though did have an overnight pack (thankfully - for unknown reasons). On the ascent to Avalanche Peak via the east face (about 100m off route) he eventually slipped & fell on the very icy conditions (crampons & iceaxe required) from near the summit, luckily coming to a rest after sliding through 150m into the small basin on the Avalanche Ridge. Injuries sustained was generally limited to lacerations on the hands. His pack managed to open in the last 30m of the slide spewing gear down the fall-line. He then spent the "mild" night in this basin (he had overnight equipment but no tent/bivy bag). At first light on Friday morning he triggered the locator beacon. The Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington dispatched the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter from Greymouth, the beacon was easily located and he was retrieved. Unfortunately because he was away from his equipment when the helicopter arrived (and Police determined the SAR component was over), a volunteer walkin party from APRES had to climb the peak and retrieve his scattered gear - a fun day had by all!

Mt Philistine 15-07-08

Two male NZ climbers who had successfully ascended Mt Philistine were on a midday descent through the central "Warnocks Bluff" area when one climber slipped and fell when a snow foot-hold failed on a short down climb. He literally tumbled through a steep gully system for about 60 metres, then slid down towards Warnocks Knob area for a further 120 metres on 30-40º snow-slope, he was unable to arrest his fall, coming to a halt on less steep terrain (a very lucky boy). The other climber having witnessed the fall, but not the trajectory, continued to sidle/descend the remaining face eventually finding his buddy on the lower slopes. A very good first aid assessment was undertaken, then the injured climber moved into a safer position (which given the massive rock explosion off the Philistine Bluffs the following day was not a bad idea), the uninjured climber then made a very rapid descent to Arthur's Pass to raise the alarm. Westpac Air Rescue and APRES climbers were dispatched to the site. The climber was recovered using winch & stretcher, and taken to Christchurch Hospital. Amazingly he is only received a broken nose, rib, and extensive bruising (possibly some internal bruising as well) from the accident and was mildly hypothermic on arrival in Arthur's Pass.

Edwards Hut 28-04-08

At 8am DOC received an extremely difficult to understand transmission (caused by extremely poor atmospherics) on the HF band from Edwards Hut. 45 minutes of repeated messages, ascertained that a family of four New Zealanders (2A 2C) were at the hut, with the adult male party member suffering immobilising injuries (sprains, torn muscles etc). All rivers in the area were in flood at this time negating the possibly of getting an APRES land team to them, with further extreme weather forecast for subsequent days. Police arranged for Westpac Air Rescue to recover the trampers from the hut.

Mt Rolleston 11-04-08

An EPIRB (Old 121.5Mhz) was received by satellite at 1800hrs on 11/04/2008. The initial location was determined to be in the Otehake River region of the Park. Westcoast Solid Energy Rescue helicopter (with night vision) was dispatched but found (and heard) nothing in this area. Another satellite pass near midnight pin-pointed the position around Mt Rolleston, again the West Coast helicopter was dispatched, confirming the beacon was on the south side of Rome Ridge, however fog/cloud prevented closer investigation. Overnight, it was confirmed that a climber intending a "back bone" traverse of the Alps had hired a beacon from DOC that day, and would have been in that vicinity. A further recce at day-break, again in poor visibility, put the location as the East Crow Glacier. The Christchurch ACR team, and Westpac Air Rescue was dispatched. With fog clearing, a quick search of the glacier found the climber on the ice near a rock-rib encamped in a make-shift bivy bag, he had sustained moderate injuries as a result of a fall (injured wrist, arm, hip & head) down the East Crow Glacier whilst crossing without crampons, and unable to self-arrest on the ice. WestPac/ACR recovered him with a skid-landing. The climber had ascended via the Bealey Valley chockstone route to Low Peak of Mt Rolleston, traversed over Middle Peak to High Peak before aborting the climb and descending the Rome Ridge route to "the gap", at which point he slipped on the ice.

Mingha River 15-03-08

A party of 10 New Zealanders completing the Deception River - Mingha River route as a day trip separated in the Upper Deception with a group of 6 exiting the Mingha River at 1930hrs. The remaining 4 failed to turn up by 2200hrs. Police were notified. A hasty search by an APRES member at 2300hrs found the party about 3.2km upstream on the Mingha River, they had lit a campfire but had no overnight equipment including lights. Amongst the party were two sprained knees and a shoulder. Given lights & encouragement they managed to exit the route by 0200hrs. Thank you to Arthur's Pass Fire for providing support/comms.

McGraths Creek 15-03-08

A 20 year old male overseas tramper after climbing Avalanche Peak traversed towards Rome Ridge, he then decided to descend into McGraths Creek discovering bluffs, sidling out southwards then descending a steep, loose, scree gully onto cliff ledges he eventually found that he was unable to extract himself in any direction. He sighted trampers on Scott's Track (Avalanche Peak) and called loudly for help, these trampers hearing him (but could not see him) raced to treeline to get cellphone coverage to raise the alarm with DOC. In the meantime, the trapped tramper also got cellphone coverage and called 111. A APRES climbing team was put on standby and Garden City Helicopters (Westpac Air Rescue) dispatched. The tramper was recovered by helicopter skid-rescue at 17:56hrs. He was uninjured, wind chilled, but not hypothermic.

Otira Slide - Mt Rolleston 19-01-08

A 53 year old female climber injured her lower leg in a short fall at the head of the Otira Slide route (Goldney Ridge) during the ascent, incapacitating herself. Alarm raised by mobile phone to friends on Avalanche Peak then to 111. Injured climber extracted by Westpac Air Rescue Helicopter and taken to Christchurch Hospital.

CHEERS GARDEN CITY - MAYBE YOU NEED TO PUT A HELICOPTER PERMANENTLY IN THE ARTHUR'S PASS REGION THIS WEEK!

Edwards Hut 18-01-08

A 57 year old woman with a suspected broken arm sustained in fall (in the upper Edwards River area). Alarm raised by hut HF radio to DOC. Medi-evac from Edwards Hut by Westpac Air Rescue Helicopter. No other details available.

Pfeifer Biv 16-01-08

A 53 year old male was medi-evaced from Pfeifer Bivouac by Westcoast Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter to Greymouth Base Hospital after rupturing a tendon on his leg.

Craigieburn Range 16-01-08

A Piper Cherokee light aircraft crashed and burst into flames on a scree-slip in a valley southwest of the Cass Saddle in the Craigieburn Range. The two mexican trainee pilots on board were killed. One managed to escape the plane before it burst into flames but died of extensive severe injuries 30m from the plane. Alarm raised at 13:00hrs when it failed to arrive at Christchurch airport after departing Hokitika earlier in the day. It had departed from its intended flight plan, and it is unclear whether the plane had developed problems. The plane was initially found by a Canterbury Aero Club fixed wing aircraft that directed the Westpac Air Rescue Helicopter to the site. The bodies were recovered the following day.

Park Morpeth Hut 04-01-08

A man was evacuated today from Park Morpeth Hut by Westpac Air Rescue. He apparently was suffering a dislocated shoulder that could not be reduced. Alarm raised by Mountain Radio. Other details are not available.

Otira Valley 30-12-07

A 63 year old male day-tramper on the Otira Valley track slipped and fell whilst negotiating a side creek crossing on the track. He fractured one of his lower legs in two places. The alarm was raised by other people on the track at the time and he was attended initially by his doctor daughter. He was recovered by stretcher carry by members of Arthur's Pass Rescue, then extracted by winch from the valley by Westpac Air Rescue and taken to Christchurch Hospital.

Mt Aicken??? 18-10-07

At about 7pm this evening Arthur's Pass Rescue was called to a "missing" day tramper (22y.o. overseas tourist), aledged by his three friends to have not returned from Mt Aicken (this "fact" was reaffirmed in four separate interviews and backed up by LKP being the turn-off to Mt Aicken on the Punchbowl track). Two members of APRES ascended Mt Aicken searching the entire route to the summit, and the notorious "Graham Creek" headwaters. Nothing was found except a string of fresh foot-prints in snow & mud that confirmed someone had made a successful climb of this mountain today. In the meantime our missing day tramper was actually on Avalanche Peak having become lost on the backside of the mountain (probably as a result of following footprints in the snow towards Lyell Peak or the Crow Valley), luckily he eventually refound the summit and made his own descent down Scott's Track. A nice night in the hills spent by all.

Cass/Lagoon Saddle Track 17-09-07

Arthur's Pass Rescue called out to search for two overseas trampers overdue from weekend tramp on the Cass/Lagoon Saddle route in the Craigieburn Forest Park. Search was purposely delayed until 1500hrs on Monday as heavy rain & swollen rivers had delayed other known parties (9 persons) in the region. Missing trampers were discovered arriving at their vehicle at 1530hrs after "slow going" caused by weather and poor hitch-hikes at the beginning of their tramp delayed their start until 1500hrs on the Saturday.

Mount Olympus skifield 23-08-07

A 32 year old male ski patroller was caught in an avalanche whilst releasing buildups of ridge snow on Mt Olympus assisted by two other ski-patrollers. He was swept about 150 metres down the mountain. The avalanche risk at the time was rated as High. Westpac Rescue Helicopter recovered the man taking him to Christchurch Hospital. He suffered injuries to his Pelvis and face in the incident.

Upper Avoca Valley 04-06-07

A 24yr old male hunter left Avoca Hut in Craigieburn Forest Park on Sunday 3rd June to hunt about the Moraine Flat area in the upper Avoca Valley. He told his partner before leaving that his trip may become an overnight affair (though he was not adequately prepared for this in the wintry conditions?) and not to become worried until Monday lunch-time. When he didn't return by this time she walked and drove their 4WD out to Glenthorne Station to raise the alarm by 17:00hrs.

Christchurch Police initiated SAR operations on Tuesday morning at first light, attempting to get a helicopter into the area in marginal weather conditions (galeforce winds). LandSar teams (including dogs) from the Canterbury region were also dispatched into the area from Tuesday through to the following Sunday (up to 75 searchers), along with Helicopter support from NZAF Iriquois and Mt hutt Helicopters. The search area concentrated on the extensive area bounded by the Avoca Col, Half Moon Saddle and downstream to Basins Hut, with an intensive "contact search" (ie. visual inspection of most accessible ground) of the area immediately surrounding Avoca Hut in a 1.5km radius to 1300m ASL, no sign was found to date (10/6/07). Snowfall to 900m on the Thursday night did not aid searching, nor has the fact he was likely wearing camouflage coloured clothing. It is unlikely he could have survived the weather conditions over the past week given his preparedness.

Over Easter 2008 trampers in the Avoca Valley discovered two items of clothing in the Moraine Flat area, these were identified as belonging to the missing hunter. During the week that followed a helicopter pilot flying over the area saw a body below some bluffs & gullies in the same area. On Sunday 23rd March a Police SAR team recovered the body. It has formally been identified as that of the missing hunter. It would appear he has fallen from cliffs, and lodged in high gullies, later to be dislodged by winter avalanche activity.

Deception River 21-05-07

Six Boy Scouts and five adults commenced the Goat Pass route on Saturday 19th May, tramping up the Mingha River. A heavy rain & severe gale warning was issued on Saturday midday for Sunday/Monday, the original morning forecast (including Friday's) called for heavy rain to develop during this same period. Leaving Goat Pass hut on Sunday morning in developing rain they became trapped by rapidly rising river levels in the upper Deception River caused by snow-melt and heavy rain. They were reported overdue by a parent on Sunday afternoon when they failed to appear at the Morrison footbridge at Aickens. Failing light, extreme weather (140km/h winds + heavy rain) and flooding rivers prevented any search being mounted, a listening watch (APRES) was held overnight for the Goat Pass radio in case they returned there. The scouts spent the night encamped (without tents) on the steep riverbank. The storm continued into Monday, nothing was heard from Goat Pass, whilst eastern rivers eased to crossable levels. With further heavy weather predicted the Police arranged for Coast Wide Helicopters to mount a search and extraction mission. All were flown to Aickens by mid-Monday afternoon. No injuries.

It has been said before on this very page, and not surprisingly for this very route - but "heed the weather forecasts!"

Tumbledown Creek 9-05-07

One of two male overseas trampers/climbers fell about 30 metres on Wednesday (9/5) into the Tumbledown Creek canyon resulting in a head injury (deep laceration to forehead). Because of concerns about the injury he set off the EPIRB they were carrying. Unfortunately the EPIRB also experienced the same fall dislodging the battery bank and it failed to activate (this went un-noticed by the trampers at the time). On Thursday (10/5) mid-morning they realised the beacon had malfunctioned and repaired it (also placing it in a position where their GPS achieved the greater number of satellites). The beacon was picked up almost immediately by a low azimuth satellite positioning it in the Polar Range area of the park (a good 20km east of their actual position).

An RDF (Radio Direction Finding) search by Westpac Air Rescue proved inconclusive in this area. Because the beacon was of the old frequency style (121.5MHz) its ID was not known. However Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre had hired a beacon to trampers that were known to be in the Hunts Creek/Waimak Falls area, a brief RDF search took place here but no beacon was heard. The beacon was again picked up by satellite moving directly overhead at 0100hrs on Friday morning identifying its location as closer to the Campbell Pass area, another RDF search by Westpac Air Rescue early morning confirmed the Campbell Pass area, as did a jet-liner overflying the area. An APRES LandSar team was dispatched to Carrington Hut (assisted by Westpac) in marginal weather conditions (galeforce winds, heavy rain and high level snow) making its way on foot to Campbell Pass (nothing was found on ascent routes to the Pass). The Solid Energy Rescue chopper from the West Coast was able to fly up the Taipo and located the trampers (waving) in the upper Tumbledown Creek catchment, but because of high winds/poor visibility was unable to uplift them (winching would be required). An ACR (cliff rescue) team from the West Coast was dispatched to Julia Hut using a helicopter from the Glaciers. The ACR team was able to extract the trampers that evening and walk them back to Julia Hut. Westpac Air Rescue had to revisit the Taipo that evening also because of a "flight following" incident with the glacier helicopter. The trampers were taken to Greymouth Hospital early on Saturday morning. Note: identifying the beacons location was difficult because they were in a tight sided canyon which meant an accurate fix could only be made by aircraft passing directly overhead, rather than the normal 7km range when the beacon is located on open ground. Satellite positioning accuracy can vary up to 20km.

Carrington Hut 06-04-07

On Thursday 5th April a 53 year old male climber injured his left leg in a rockfall near White Col above Barker Hut. His two climbing companions evacuated him to Carrington Hut during the coarse of the day (9hrs). Overnight his condition worsened, no longer being able to walk. The alarm was raised by hut radio at 8am on Friday. Arthur's Pass Police / APRES arranged for a medi-evac which was completed shortly after by Westpac Air Rescue. The climber was taken to Christchurch Hospital suffering deep lacerations and extensive bruising to his left leg. Note: Barker Hut radio currently receives only, it cannot transmit!

Big Tops / Koropuku 04-03-07

A 31 year old female tramper became separated from her tramping partner on the Big Tops range (above Koropuku Creek) at 10:30hrs on Saturday 3rd. Their intended route was to take them along the Taramakau ranges to Lake Minchin. Because of confusion about "who was ahead of who" the woman continued along the intended route to the 1681m high point before realising her partner was now likely behind. In the meantime her partner after preliminary searching, retraced his steps to the site of their previous night camp on the Big Tops and re-established it placing out bright markers to indicate its location. After she had not returned to this site he exited the route on Sunday to Aickens to raise the alarm at 14:35hrs. As the woman was not carrying shelter or a map (though she had the food stock, but no stove) she decided after seeing what she determined to be the Koropuku Hut descended screes into Koropuku Creek but as she was in the creek bed was unable to locate the hut (and the semi-marked route back to the Big Tops range) so descended past it, eventually overnighting about an hours bash below the hut. On Sunday she continued downstream to the Koropuku "blockup" gorge and decided to climb back up to the Big Tops range. Arthur's Pass Police and West Coast SAR had initiated a helicopter search at 15:25hrs (Sunday). Initial searches along the entire path of the intended route with variations into all known huts and water sources failed to find her (we had flown over her a couple of times but she was still ascending through thick undergrowth). After refuelling the helicopter it was decided that a final search should be made close to the bush edge on the western side of the Big Tops range prior to sunset and lowering cloud cover ceasing air activity, and a ground crew from APRES arranged to follow in the entire route from Aickens. Because of the excellent vigilance of the Coastwide Helicopter pilot she was spotted near treeline at the 1077m point at the southern end of the Big Tops range at 18:45hrs, after pickup she was delivered to Aickens. She was suffering no injury.

Edwards Valley 28-02-07

A 30 year old male climber was reported as overdue through the DOC intention system from a solo climb of Mt Franklin from Taruahuna Pass at 08:00hrs. The climber was carrying an EPIRB (locator beacon) that had not been triggered. With respect to his intended route and mission it was decided that the climber would be "doing well" to complete the route in the time allowed, so SAR operations were temporarily suspended until midday on Wednesday (at which time his beacon would be remotely triggered and a radio locating helicopter dispatched from Queenstown). At 11:30hrs APRES located the climber exiting the Edwards Valley track into the Bealey Valley. The climber had been delayed by changes in climbing plans (he was successful however) and tendonitis in an ankle requiring him to spend the extra night at Edwards Hut.

Edwards Valley 11-02-07

A 25 year old female Taiwanese tramper was reported overdue when she failed to return to her place of employment in Arthur's Pass on the evening of Saturday 10/02/07. She had been tramping to Edwards Hut with a companion on the Friday, and was to return solo, whilst her companion continued on the Tarn Col route to the Hawdon Valley. APRES & Arthur's Pass Police mounted a foot search to Edwards Hut at 23:00hrs on Saturday night, which turned up nothing. A more intensive TCA (tracking & clue) search next morning on the return found foot-prints along the track but could find no other evidence of mishap. The search was intensified with air support (Coastwide Helicopters) and Canterbury LandSar teams on Sunday morning. Again initial searching by air, tracker dog, and ground teams failed to find her. Much later in the day a team found foot-prints in the East Edwards Valley, a followup air search by NZAF Iriquois found and recovered her from her high encampment on the East Edwards river. She had various distress signals showing (smokey fire, orange marker, SOS). Apparently she was still in the dense scrub when the first overhead helicopter searches took place and could not make a signal, she became lost when she moved away from the Edwards Track and confused river valley systems. She was uninjured apart from some grazing. Many thanks to the numerous persons and organisations that participated in this search.

Cass/Lagoon Saddle Track 02-02-07

An overseas female tramper reported as overdue through the DOC intention system (24hrs). There had been moderate rain the area over previous days, other trampers had successfully exited the track during the period, and nothing heard from Hamilton Hut radio. An APRES foot party searched the Lagoon Saddle route (her intended exit & her car parked at this end), she was found near bushline on "burnt face", no problems having spent a voluntary extra day at Hamilton Hut, and was unawares that a search would be initiated once she became overdue.

Avalanche Peak 29-01-07

A 60 year old female member of a guided party attempting the Avalanche Peak circuit in poorer weather sprained (turned out to be a fracture) her right ankle outside treeline, assisted across the basin to the Scott's track she badly sprained (turned out to be a double fracture) her left ankle during the descent at about 1370m (about 600m vertically above the village) and was not able to carry on. The alarm was raised by one of the tour guides via mobile phone. A stretcher carry party (16 members) consisting of APRES, DOC, Police and some tour members was dispatched at 16:50hrs. The weather at the time was moderate rain, fog and occassional gusting winds. The stretcher carry to the road took 1¾ hours. Malvern (Darfield) Ambulance took the patient to Christchurch. Many thanks to ALL who assisted.

Edwards Valley 20-01-07

On the 19-01-07 (13:30hrs) a 60 year old male tramper has taken a fall whilst descending rocky areas from Lake Mavis into the upper Edwards Valley. In this fall he has suffered deep lacerations to the head, a possible arm fracture, possible rib fractures and other lacerations/bruising. Assisted by his three tramping companions the party managed to reach Edwards Hut. An attempt was made to call for help on the hut radio (HF Mountain Radio) but all attempts failed. Next morning another party in the hut has walked out the Edwards Valley to Arthur's Pass to raise the alarm. With deteriorating weather, a helicopter and foot party recovery team (AP Police/APRES) were organised. Luckily Westpac Air Rescue was able to reach the hut and extract and transport the injured party and his partner to Christchurch hospital.

Anti-Crow Hut 13-01-07

A tramper returning from Anticrow Hut sprained his ankle and required help to walk out from the "BB Trail" between Turkey Flat and the Bealey Bridge. Attended by Arthur's Pass Police, APRES and Malvern St John.

Mt Cassidy 09-01-07

A male tramper became trapped in a steep rocky gully near the Cons Track/Mt Cassidy route. Judging that it would be unsafe to continue up, or return back down the gully, he prepared himself to wait until he was reported overdue through the DOC intention card system. He had warm clothing, food and water, but his location required him to stay awake all night to ensure that he did not fall. He was located and rescued by Coastwide Helicopters and APRES the following day, tired and stiff but ok.

Castle Hill 24-12-06

Westpac Air Rescue was called out to Castle Hill where a 25 year old female had been injured in a fall whilst rock climbing. She was flown to Christchurch Hospital. No further information available.

Andrews Stream 17-11-06

A 76 year old male tramper succumb to hypothermia whilst tramping at Hallejuah Flat on the Andrews Stream route to Casey Hut. He was tramping in a party of 4 teenage boys completing their Duke of Edinburough award when one of the boys started to show signs of mild hypothermia, he gave the boy some of his clothing then became hypothermic himself. The weather at the time was heavy rain showers and 7.5ºC. They raised the alarm by mountain radio, and proceeded in an attempt to rewarm their patient. Police initiated a recovery by Westpac Air Rescue, simultaneously organising a land-sar party from APRES as poor visibility prevailed at the time. The helicopter, after missing the group several times, eventually at 18:15hrs spotted them and set about recovering all from a landing site some 10 minutes walk. The patient and one of the boys (uninjured) was transferred to Christchurch Hospital, while the others were delivered to Mt White Bridge and taken by police to Arthur's Pass for the night.

Bealey River 28-10-06

THREE MORE (overdue) COAST TO COAST RUNNERS! This time they managed to cross the Bealey River a whole seven minutes before it flash-flooded in the heavy rainfall at the time. AGAIN AN EXTREME WEATHER WARNING WAS ISSUED THE PREVIOUS DAY! Severe weather warnings are available by... Visiting this website. Visiting the MetService website. Visiting the Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre (warnings are posted outside 24/7). Phoning the Arthur's Pass Visitor Centre (03 318 9211). TV One News is pretty good at issuing warnings with its weather bulletin. Radio National also issues specific weather warnings with its news throughout the day.

Mingha/Bealey Rivers running 200 metres wide on 29/10/2006

Bealey River 21-10-06

Three male Coast to Coast competitors chose to run the Deception - Goat Pass - Mingha route, despite an extreme heavy rain warning being issued in ALL media the previous day. Other runners chose to turn around in the Deception when water levels were determined to be marginal and rain commenced. Heavy rain struck the Arthur's Pass region at 09:00hrs, ALL river systems came into flood at 12:00hrs and continued to rise dramatically (80mm+ rain). At 16:30hrs the alarm was raised by passing motorists and the Tranz Alpine train that 2 or 3 "trampers" were spotted waving for assistance upstream of the extremely swollen Bealey / Mingha confluence. Investigation by Arthur's Pass Police & APRES revealed 3 very poorly equipped (2 rescue blankets, little food, no shelter, no packs, scant clothing) runners. The river was far too wide and swift to initiate any form of river rescue. Communication was achieved with the runners through the use of loud hailer (thank you again Arthur's Pass Fire) and hand signals (it was determined they had no medical conditions, but hypothermia overnight might become an issue with the falling temperatures). Poor weather conditions (galeforce winds) on the west & east coasts initially prevented the dispatch of helicopter services. Eventually Westpac Air Rescue was able to get through to Arthur's Pass in very marginal conditions, uplifting the runners on sunset. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK THAT PEOPLE HAVE IGNORED EXTREME WEATHER WARNINGS!

Bealey River 15-10-06

Four overseas youths (1 male, 3 female) rescued from a flooding Bealey River in Arthur's Pass Village. This epic started on Sunday 15/10 in the Mingha River, with 6 very under-prepared youths tramping the Mingha River route to Mingha Biv. Caught by the predicted extreme weather (171mm rain) they chose to descend the Mingha River (being in full flood they stuck to the true-right all the way to the Bealey River junction). The Bealey River was also in full flood, so they decided to follow the true-left bank upstream. After crossing Graham stream, two of the party decided to walk into the flooded river to "raise the alarm". Simultaneously to this Arthur's Pass Police saw four people on the opposite side of the Bealey River from the Police Station watch-house and initiated an immediate SAR response, unaware that another pair had attempted crossing the swollen river. This pair were washed away, but miraculously regained the true-right bank a distance downstream. Some confusion prevailed as the SAR team found two packs on the river bank, and the remaining four youths on the opposite bank (confusion solved when 111 was called by the river pair). With night falling rapidly and heavy rain continuing, the remaining four youths were ordered into their sleeping bags (they had no tents, shelter, or warm clothing) and told (by loud hailer) to shelter on the forest edge. An APRES team attempted to reach the youths via the upstream rail bridge, and traversing the cliffs and waterfalls above the raging river, this night-time attempt was aborted after 1 hour when the path was blocked by sheer walls/waterfalls. A vigil took place on the opposite bank to the trampers all night, in case exposure became a problem (1ºC, sleet, passing showers), the river eventually dropped enough by 0630hrs to allow a team to cross the river (roped) and extract the four youths. They were suffering, mild exposure, disorientation, all treated by local ambulance. Many thanks to all who assisted on this most miserable of nights! In the Park 37 trampers (thus far) were caught by this predicted weather event!

Cass Saddle 28-09-06

Westpac Air Rescue was called out to Cass Saddle hut to transfer an 18 year old girl with abdominal pain to Christchurch Hospital. No other details available.

Temple Basin 23-08-06

A 30 year old male snowboarder broke his femur (upper leg) whilst making a descent through the bluffs from Bills Basin to the main ski area. Initial treatment and recovery by Temple Basin ski patrol. He was uplifted by Westpac Air Rescue and transported to Christchurch Hospital for treatment.

Coral Track - Mt Rolleston 10-08-06

Two male inexperienced overseas trampers ascended the Coral track (Rome Ridge). Outside treeline one of them (diabetic) lost a glove down a gut on the true-right of the ice-clad ridgeline. He decided to climb down to retrieve it, he lost his footing (no iceaxe or crampons) and slipped, sliding some 70 metres down the 45º chute and over a 4-5 metre cliff. He screamed for help (twice), his partner unable to assist directly descended Coral track back to Arthur's Pass Village to raise the alarm, at 16:30hrs. Arthur's Pass Police organised a helicopter (Coastwide) and strop rescue team, which arrived at 17:06hrs. Initial searching of the ridge discovered his glove, hat and fall-line skid marks but not him. A member of APRES was delivered to treeline to initiate a voice response & track search, this resulted in double fresh descent boot prints and blood trail being discovered joining the ice covered track a short distance in, no voice response was forthcoming. Search was stood down when he exited the Coral track onto Highway 73. He was suffering from deep lacerations to hands, back injury, & general body bruising - he had also lost his insulin pump during the fall. Transferred to Christchurch hospital by Westpac Air Rescue.

Cass Saddle 02-07-06

Westpac Air Rescue was called out to Cass Saddle to uplift a female tramper suffering from hypothermia after spending a night in the open. She was winched on board and flown to Christchurch Hospital. No other details available.

Deception River 04-06-06 (near miss)

Two inexperienced overseas trampers ascended the Deception River on Saturday 3/6, they failed to find Upper Deception Hut or the Goat Pass Hut before becoming benighted in stormy weather conditions. They bivouaced in the open beside the Deception River. 60mm of rain fell overnight raising the river into a moderate flood condition. The trampers decided to descend the Deception River, with increasing difficulty in crossing the river. On the final crossing they got into difficulties being swept away, they lost their two overnight packs, however managed to scramble to safety and were able to reach Highway 73 in their semi-hypothermic state. Also over this same period another party of 3 going Mingha-Goat Pass-Deception rightly discovered on Sunday the Deception River too swift and spent a further night out at the Upper Deception Hut (they were reported as overdue), they walked out OK on Monday.

Kelly Range 21-05-06

Two trampers ascending the Carroll Hut track from Kelly's Shelter became separated. The trailing member slipped and fell over a small cliff injuring himself (leg). He waited for 40 minutes in very poor deteriorating cold weather for his partner to return but this never eventuated. He then made his own way down slowly to the highway. The duty officer at Arthur's Pass Police was told of these events, and it was decided to send a foot party into Carroll Hut to prevent a possible night search scenario by the remaining inexperienced member of the party once he became aware of his missing comrade. Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) sent a flash party up the track (now a river) to retrieve the other tramper who they discovered tucked up in the hut.

Avalanche Peak 15-04-06

An ill-prepared (carrying nothing and wearing little) Israeli tourist separated from his group near tree-line on the Avalanche Track making his way ahead to the summit of Avalanche Peak, at this point instead of following the obvious pole-lines he followed foot-prints in the fresh snow of other walkers heading off on the Crow Hut route. His companions arrived on the summit at 15:00hrs and assumed he had already made his way down Scott's Track. When they arrived back in Arthur's Pass Village at dusk they realised their comrade had either not come back down, or may have hitched to Christchurch independantly (as he had a flight to Australia next day). They notified Arthur's Pass Rescue of this situation at 19:00hrs, who proceeded with a thorough search of the Village, and notified Darfield Police. Witnesses still in the Village who had been on Avalanche Peak were sort and interviewed. ChCh Police were tasked with tracking down his intended abode in ChCh, eventually confirming he had not returned to ChCh, and hence it could be assumed he may well still be on the mountain. A night search of the upper mountain was abandoned due to very icy conditions. An early morning foot and helicopter search was organised. Conditions overnight were mild and clear (full moon). At 03:00hrs we were notified by Police that he had indeed turned up in ChCh. Apparently he had eventually retraced his steps around midnight and descended the Avalanche Track, immediately getting a hitch to ChCh. So endith the lesson! Also of note that same day was 3 other poorly prepared Israeli tourists on a "day walk" on the Crow Hut/Waimakariri route discovered it wasn't a day walk in the deep snow conditions, spending a cold night in the Crow Hut for their trouble.

Mt Aicken 18-03-06 .. 19-03-06

An overdue day-walker (53yo japanese) was reported to Darfield Police on Saturday (18th Mar) morning, when it was noticed he had not returned to his YHA bed overnight. He had not left his intentions with anybody, but the YHA manager had recollection he had mentioned Mt Aicken on Friday 17th March. Coastwide Helicopters was called in to assist with the search in deteriorating weather, the initial air search over a wide area of Mt Aicken, Graham Creek and Mt Cassidy revealed nothing. Two Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) search were mobilised, one on the track route from the bottom, the other from Mt Aicken summit searching the ridge escarpment and scree basins into the Graham Creek area, by nightfall both searches revealed nothing. Confirmation of his presence on Mt Aicken came on Saturday night when a foreign witness was finally tracked down in Christchurch. The search was escalated that night by ChCh Police, with search parties (ChCh, Oxford, Tracker dogs, ChCh ACR, Pegasus, APRES) distributed during the Sunday in a wide area about the "last known point" and many other "likely" areas trampers might become disorientated or injured. Further air searches revealed nothing. Whilst Darfield Police were organising to retreive another possible witness from the Cass/Lagoon area he noticed our "missing person" regaining the highway some 4km south of the Village. The walker had descended Brett Stream (from Mt O'Malley) to the Bealey River, he was apparently in heavy scrub on the Mingha side of Mt O'Malley on the Saturday when the helicopter over flew him, but then back-tracked and crossed into the Bealey catchment under cover of darkness. He had abrasions only for his mis-adventure.

Browning Pass 15-03-06

The body of a missing tramper (34yo American male) was found in the Browning Pass area of Arthur's Pass National Park on Wednesday evening by Coastwide Helicopters and West Coast Police. The tramper was attempting the 3 Pass Trip from the West Coast side towards Arthur's Pass. He apparently filled in an intention card at the Arthur's Pass Visitor centre but had posted it in the return box by error or when he changed his mind to travel the route in reverse from the West Coast. He was reported missing by family in the USA when he failed to return to the United States on March 12, this placed him 11 days overdue. He apparently has taken a fall (200m) whilst descending a gully from Browning Pass into the Wilberforce, it is believed he was a short way off route. He died of injuries sustained in the fall.

Cave Stream Reserve March 2006

A 65 year old male has died as a result of injuries sustained in an 8 metre fall over a cliff. He was part of a tour group utilising a "unofficial" track in the Cave Stream Reserve.

Mt Aicken 26-02-06 .. 02-03-06

An overdue day-walker was reported to Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) on late Sunday (26th Feb), she actually was overdue from the previous day. Initial search concentrated on valley floor areas as she left very sketchy intentions, but was shortly concentrated onto Mt Aicken when other walkers returned with her car keys from a pack & scattered clothing discovered at 1650m on the Mt Aicken route. Coastwide Helicopters was called in to assist with the search in deteriorating weather (galeforce winds), this air search revealed nothing. The search was escalated that night by ChCh Police, with search parties (ChCh, Timaru, Hanmer, Tracker dogs, ChCh ACR, Pegasus, APRES) distributed during the coming days in a wide area about the "last known point" and many other "likely" areas trampers might become disorientated or injured. Further air searches in marginal weather revealed nothing. The ground search revealed some inconclusive clues around the O'Malley Tarn area. The search continued through to Thursday (2nd Mar) in varying weather conditions enlarging the search area considerably into much more complex and difficult terrain. Footprints found adjacent a cliff line edge, simultaneously followed by a thorough search of Graham Stream found the missing walkers body suspended on a terrace above Graham Stream (true left branch). It is assumed she fell a considerable distance probably on Saturday evening (25th Feb). Recovery by ChCh ACR and NZAF Iriquois.

Temple Basin 17-02-06

A 17 year old boy was transported to Christchurch Hospital by Westpac Rescue Helicopter after sustaining serious injuries in a fall. No other details available.

Otehake River 12-02-06

Two trampers were washed downstream in the flooding Otehake River near its confluence with the Taramakau River, whilst attempting to gain the Lake Kaurapataka track. One tramper managed to scramble to shore on easy ground, whilst the other (46 year old woman) became trapped on a narrow ledge adjacent a cliff. Another tramping party (upstream) raised the alarm by setting off their satellite rescue beacon. Rescue eventually came by air (West Coast Air Rescue) with a very difficult winching operation hindered by large overhanging trees and taken top Greymouth Hospital. She was suffering hypothermia and severe leg bruising.

Bealey Spur 04-02-06

A 26 year old woman had fallen down an embankment injuring her hip. Stretcher carry by Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) to Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Mt Aicken 27-01-06

A tourist day-walker used her cellphone to call for help when she became disorientated on Mt Aicken (she actually said she was on adjacent Mt Cassidy) in the late evening. Initial searches by Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) failed to find her on "Mt Cassidy", however she was eventually found with binoculars at 1650m on Mt Aicken. Police decided to extract her using the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. She was suffering dehydration.

Andrews Valley 18-09-05

A team of 9 Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) members were called to the Andrews Valley when weather prevented the evacuation of an injured (knee?) tramper by helicopter from the Casey Saddle area. The team met the tramping party a couple of hours into the valley. The injured tramper was able to be assisted out on foot, so fortunately a stretcher carry was not required. Malvern Ambulance also attended this incident.

Mt Cassidy 09-04-05

Arthur's Pass police and Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) members undertook a search for a missing German tramper who had set out for a day trip on Con's Track in poor conditions (limited visibility) on Friday 8-04-05. His body was discovered later on the Saturday by a helicopter search team in a steep side gully adjacent the main waterfall in Bridal Veil Stream. It appears at this stage that he died as a result of a fall while descending off route from Mt Cassidy. He had suffered severe head injuries and all limbs fractured. Recovery by Coast Wide Helicopters, APRES and Police.

Mt Rolleston 22-03-05

An inexperienced male tramper, after ignoring ALL advice and causing grave concern to ALL who spoke to him, decided to make a solo ascent of Mt Rolleston via the Otira Slide and descent to the Crow Valley and hut via the Rome Ridge. He was carrying no mountaineering equipment (iceaxe, crampons or rope), and inadequately prepared generally. He was spotted on Friday (18-03) evening making his way up the Otira Valley to camp. His wife reported him missing on Sunday (20-03) night when he failed to board a flight to the North Island, he had last left a message on her ansa-phone (via mobile) that he was on the summit of Mt Rolleston at 16:00hrs on Saturday (19-03) and was then making a descent to the hut. Arthur's Pass Police initiated a helicopter search early Monday (21-03) morning in poor visibility into the Otira, Crow & Rolleston Valleys to no avail. A break in the weather that evening (17:45hrs) saw two Arthur's Pass Rescue mountaineers placed near the Avalanche - Rome Ridge, an investigation of the East Crow Glacier discovered the lost "climber" entrapped on the Rome Ridge some 40m above the "gap". The rescue party decided to ascend to the climber in darkness to assess his condition (acute dehydration only and leg cramps). They further lowered him to safe ground in the "gap" setting camp there for the night. Day break on Tuesday (22-03) saw little clearance in the weather so he was moved along the Rome Ridge rock route into the McGraths Creek basin (below fog line) where he could be uplifted by helicopter.

Lagoon Saddle 01-03-05

An inexperienced female tramper "abandoned" by her tramping companions in the Harper River became lost in the Long Creek area. Her companions reported her lost to Arthur's Pass Police late Monday(28-02) evening. A team consisting of Arthur's Pass Rescue and Arthur's Pass Police commenced a foot search of the Lagoon Saddle track at first light discovering the lost tramper in Lagoon Saddle hut. Her condition was that of dehydration because her companions had told her that ALL NZ water needed boiling before consumption, and they had been carrying all the cooking equipment when they abandoned her. We recommended she find new friends!

Avalanche Peak 4-02-05

Two Arthur's Pass Rescue members accompanied two day walkers down off Avalanche Peak after the pair called for assistance on their cellphone.The party was not adequately experienced, fit or equipped for the climb and were not carrying enough water for the hot weather encountered.

Avalanche Peak 19-01-05

Arthur's Pass Police and Arthur's Pass Rescue volunteers undertook a search when a solo tramper was feared overdue on Avalanche Peak. Checks were made of carparks and camping areas and a 'hasty' team sent up Avalanche Peak. The person was found fit and well, and blissfully unaware of the unfolding search, returning to Avalanche Peak track from a recce of the Mt Bealey traverse.

Upper Bealey Valley 17-12-04

A female tramper walking on avalanche debris in the upper Bealey Valley dislodged a boulder which broke her lower left leg. The patient was found by other walkers who raised the alarm. Arthur's Pass Police and Athur's Pass Rescue responded with a foot team carrying ambulance equipment, pain relief, clothing and a bivie bag to keep the patient comfortable until she was winch rescued by Westpac Rescue.

Taramakau River 08-10-04

Two female trampers were flown out of the Taramakau River valley after becoming entrapped by flood-waters. Further information pending.

Punchbowl Falls Creek 05-10-04

Solo female day walker disappeared from Punchbowl Falls carpark area on Tuesday (5/10). Alarm raised by partner (ChCh) on Wednesday (6/10) as missing person. Vehicle discovered in Arthur's Pass on Thursday (7/10), a foot search commenced in the Bridal Veil, Punchbowl and Bealey River areas, nothing found. A wider search incorporating police divers, helicopter and ground crews took place in ensuing days up to Sunday (17/10), nothing found. A group visiting Punchbowl Waterfall (track closed for repair by DOC) discovered the woman's body on Sunday (17/10) in the creek a short distance downstream of the viewing platform. It is likely heavy flooding on Friday dislodged the body entrapped in deep pools. SAR teams from Police SAR, Arthur's Pass Rescue, and helicopter work/recovery by Coastwide Helicopters, and Westpac Air Rescue.

Temple Basin 19-09-04

Temple Basin Ski Patrol staff and skiers/snowboarders did an excellent job of stretchering a snowboarder with maxilo-facial injuries down the Temple Basin skifield foot track in darkness. The patient was then transferred to the Arthur's Pass Police 4WD by local police and Arthur's Pass St John personnel to complete the journey to the carpark. Malvern St John Ambulance provided transport to Christchurch Hospital.

Phipps Peak 07-07-04

Two male climbers who ascended Phipps Peak successfully in fine weather on Sunday (4/7) via south face gullies chose to descend the Mt Temple joining ridge (Temple Traverse). At the notch "crux" moves they decided to bypass them by descending the eastern escarpment. They were unable to regain the ridge after descending too far and were eventually benighted about 150m below the ridgeline on the east face of Mt Temple. They dug a snow-trench to bivouac the night, planning to continue the traverse on the following day. They were reported missing on this Sunday evening by friends/partners when they failed to keep a pickup rendezvous at 18.00hrs. A prelimenary search commenced at 21.45hrs that evening.

They activated their PLB early Monday (5/7) morning, however its signal was not picked up (?). Very heavy weather (heavy snow to 900m and galeforce winds) arrived at 06.00hrs. This prevented the climbers leaving their snow-trench due to very heavy lee slope snow loading, and nil visibility. Search teams commenced a ground search of the Phipps south basin, "downhill" basin, Phipps west ridge and Goat Pass areas. A helicopter (500D) joined the search with a weather clearance at sunset but was unable to search the eastern aspects due to whiteout conditions.

On Tuesday (6/7) helicopter access placed searchers on Phipps Peak, Temple Basin, Bills Basin and the high eastern faces of Temple/Phipps. At 11.00hrs searchers discovered the climbers (very well marked location), but were unable to extract them due to high winds and whiteout conditions. Avalanche risk was at HIGH which precluded a ground rescue. Repeated attempts to drop them a survival package failed due to whiteout conditions. Searchers were placed in Upper Deception Hut to obtain visibility reports from the extraction area.

Further snow overnight moved the avalanche risk to near EXTREME, and poor visibility through Wednesday (7/7) prevented helicopters accessing the east face location. Searchers were deployed to high "weather watch" vantage points to allow an immediate evacuation on a clearance. A partial clearance at 15.00hrs gave a window of opportunity, however this was thwarted by static fog in the search area. A Deception Valley air approach however discovered the climbers on the lip of a series of large waterfalls some 300m lower than their original location. A skid & winch helicopter extraction ensued. No injuries reported. SAR teams from Christchurch ACR, Fox ACR, Temple Basin skifield, Mt Cook SAR, Police SAR, Arthur's Pass Rescue, and helicopter work/recovery by Coastwide Helicopters, Reefton Helicopters and Westpac Air Rescue.

Avalanche Peak 15-03-04

Female overseas tramper became fearful (heights, unstable ground??) on arrival on Avalanche Peak summit ridge during marginal weather conditions mid-afternoon. The situation arose where she refused to move any further for her accompanying partner, or other parties on the mountain at that time. Alarm raised by mobile phone. She was eventually persuaded to commence a slow foot retreat via the Avalanche Peak track by police & DOC by phone. A foot party consisting Arthur's Pass Police/Ambulance & Arthur's Pass Rescue ascended track to meet the descending party (not far below summit rocks at 16:00hrs), to provide coaxing/manual assistance to the woman back into Arthur's Pass Village (3hrs).

Lagoon Saddle / Harper River 06-02-04

Male tramper died of natural causes (massive heart attack) whilst descending track from Lagoon Saddle shelter to the Harper River (Craigieburn Forest Park) during the mid-afternoon. Alarm was raised by his spouse who was able to use a mobile phone after climbing back up to Lagoon Saddle (due to temporary cell-tower being in place at the Bealey Hotel - Coast to Coast Mountain Race). Arthur's Pass Police and Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) assisted her evacuation from the saddle on foot that night. Recovery of the body by Coastwide Helicopters, Arthur's Pass Police and APRES the following morning.

Waimakariri River (Turkey Flat) 08-01-04

One female tramper received minor injuries & hypothermia after being washed away whilst crossing the Waimakariri near Turkey Flat. Three trampers (from a Canterbury based tramping club) descending the Waimakariri Valley chose to cross the "obviously" flooding Waimakariri River (50mm rain). Two trampers were washed off their feet, while the 3rd managed to recover the southern shore. One of the two trampers in the river managed to regain the northern shore (an island), whilst the other was washed downstream some distance (500m+) after also loosing her pack. The alarm was raised by other trampers who seen the pack float by, and by the 3rd member of the party. Recovery by Coastwide Helicopters (in very marginal flying conditions), Arthur's Pass Police, DOC, APRES ground party.

Goat Pass 03-01-04

Overseas female tramper became separated from her tramping party during a descent of the Deception River. Some "confusion" led to her returning eventually to Goat Pass Hut. Her companions on realising she was no longer behind them retraced their steps to the last known sighting but could not locate her, they continued their outwards journey, notifying Arthur's Pass Police on their return. An emergency radio call from Goat Pass Hut was intercepted by Arthur's Pass Fire at 21:30hrs noting that the missing tramper had turned up at the hut, scratched & bruised but otherwise OK. She was accompanied out via the Mingha River the following day.

Harman Pass 26-12-03 .. 30-12-03

Two female trampers left Carrington Hut on Monday 22nd December bound for Julia Hut via Harman Pass. On meeting the avalanche ice-plugs in the Taipoiti ravine they chose to ascend the east ridge of Mt Isobel to bypass them. The difficulty of the route made them decide to bivy the night up high, however deteriating weather prevented them leaving this site the following day. A search was initiated by Arthur's Pass Police on 26th December in response to family concern. Poor visibility and galeforce winds through to 29th December prevented helicopters (2x Hughes 500 & Iriquois) and search teams (200+) from locating them. Searching was further hampered by unclear intentions of the parties intended route creating a broad search area by including the Campbell Pass area. With fine weather on the 30th December they were spotted (alive) high on the flanks of Mt Isobel (1400m) and recovered by winch. Both trampers had minor (soft tissue - frostnip) injuries. NZ Police, numerous volunteer organisations, Coastwide Helicopters, NZAF, Westpac Air rescue, ACR Teams, SAR Teams from throughout the South Island and Salvation Army assisted in this search.

Mt Temple 05-10-03

Solo climber injured whilst performing an avalanche assessment (pit profile) in the central gully of Mt Temple an arc of snow some 5 metres wide and over 1 metre deep released as a soft slab. The slab bulldozed the climber downhill for some 50 metres before pouring over a small bluff and breaking up and spreading. The climber was carried on the surface for a further 100 metres. Injuries sustained included cracked ribs, knee ligament and tendon damage, and hernial stomach damage. Rescue by self rescue assisted by 2 climbing companions.

Cave Stream 21-06-03

A woman has died in Broken River Cave (Cave Stream Reserve) as a result of an unspecified cause (hypothermia, drowning??). It would appear a family of 4 including two children entered the cave and got into difficulty after their light source/s failed. The husband raised the alarm to a work crew doing track repairs nearby the cave. The children & husband were airlifted to Christchurch Hospital by Westpac Air Rescue and treated for hypothermia.

Mt Rolleston 09-03-03

Fatality on Mt Rolleston's Otira Slide route. Three "climbers" successfully ascended Rome Ridge with minimal mountaineering equipment, and once on Low Peak decided to descend via the Otira Slide route. They chose to descend the lower icefields, choosing to slide (bumslide) the ice-filled gully that leads to the base of the Otira Face. The first of the party apparently managed to clear an open bergschrund in their slide path, the second passed into the fissure and the third managed to pull up in time. The climber possibly died of injuries sustained in the fall/hypothermia (awaiting report). Alarm raised by remaining two in party. Recovery by other climbers, DOC, Cliff Rescue Team (ChCh), Darfield Police and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Deception River 15-02-03

A male runner/tramper (carrying nothing) entered the Deception River at the Morrison footbridge at 15:00hrs on Friday (14/2), and was expected out of the Mingha River before sunset the same day. We had received 50mm of rain during the day, the river was obviously running high at the time of his entry. Alarm raised by partner on Friday evening when failed to arrive as scheduled. Christchurch & Greymouth Police initiated search on Saturday morning. A helicopter was called but stood-down after missing tramper returned to Morrison footbridge after spending night on rock in flooded river.

Avalanche Peak 15-01-03 (W.O.F.T.A.M.)

An overseas male tramper was evacuated by WestpacTrust Rescue Helicopter from the scree slope on the Crow Valley side of Avalanche Pk Low Peak (not the tramping route scree) after spending one night out (tuesday night - relatively fine) in this position. He was uninjured and apparently not suffering any medical condition, however refused to accept assistance to regain route when approached from above by other trampers (they left him with food & water). Alarm was raised by a tramper on the Avalanche - Crow circuit to Arthur's Pass Police. Christchurch Police initiated the recovery action.

Lake Sally - Mt Franklin 01-01-03

A male climber was evacuated by WestpacTrust Rescue Helicopter from a campsite on Lake Sally after falling 15 metres down a steep ice slope and deeply gashing his leg. First aid implemented at the accident site and assisted back to campsite. Alarm raised by companion travelling back to Edwards Hut (4hrs) and using HF radio set to alert Arthur's Pass DOC.

Rome Ridge - Mt Rolleston 29-12-02

Whilst pitching the upper rock step on the main arete to Low Peak (Rome Ridge), the rockpiles collapsed and funnelled down the rock gully onto the ascending climber. The climber sustained a broken forearm and crushed hand/fingers in the accident. All snow-anchors and ropes held the ensuing fall. Recovery by self rescue via the Otira Slide (rope lower 60m at a time, 21:45hrs out time).

Casey Hut 03-10-02

An Australian tramper fell heavily whilst descending the Casey Saddle area spraining and tearing ligaments in an ankle on 1st October. He made it to Casey Hut (very late) with assistance. Advice was sought via the DOC radio system. After correctly nursing the wound for 2 days with no improvement, coupled with worsening weather (snow) a medi-evac by WestpacTrust Air Ambulance was arranged by Arthur's Pass Police.

Mt Aicken 03-08-02

A female climber sustained a broken wrist as a result of a fall on ice on the upper part of the mountain. The climber was part of a two person team. No further information is available. Recovery by self rescue.

Mt Rolleston 02-08-02

A climber sustained a possible broken ankle and lacerations as a result of a fall on the Otira Slide route. The climber was part of a two person team. No further information is available. Recovery by self rescue.

Mt Philistine 14-04-02

A male climber fell whilst descending through the Warnocks Bluff area of the route (free climbing). Conditions on the route at the time were dry, free of ice/snow. The climber died of injuries sustained in the fall. Climber's companions raised the alarm. Recovery by Darfield Police, ChCh Police Rescue Squad & Christchurch Helicopters.

Julia Hut 22-03-02

Two overseas trampers got into difficulty whilst crossing a flooded Mary Creek after their traverse over Harman Pass in poor weather conditions. After being washed off their feet and being swept downstream a distance, one tramper damaged his right foot, whilst the other became hypothermic. They managed to reach Julia Hut eventually where the foot injury worsened. Alarm raised by Danish trampers / DOC. Evacuated from hut by WestpacTrust Air Ambulance.

Temple Basin 20-03-02

Female tramper damaged knee whilst on "Columbo Street" section of Temple Basin track near shelters and unable to walk. Alarm raised by companions and Temple Basin staff. Recovered off mountain by WestpacTrust Air Ambulance.

Barrack Creek 14-01-02

A local 19yr old solo female tramper fell/slid some 10-15 metres whilst ascending a very steep gully on the true-left of Barrack Creek Falls (near Otira). Unbelievably she managed to halt her fall on a very narrow ledge prior to a further vertical drop of some 30 metres to rocks below. Arthur's Pass Police commenced a foot-search of the area on Sunday night after the tramper had become overdue, but due to poor light and the noise of the adjacent waterfall she was not sighted (she had no torch). On Monday morning a helicopter search found her after she had lit a smokey fire, a successful cliff rescue ensued. She suffered multiple scratches & bruises sustained in the initial fall. SAR by Arthur's Pass Police, APRES & Coastwide Helicopters.

Casey Hut 10-01-02

Three trampers evacuated by WestpacTrust Air Ambulance helicopter from hut after all became very ill due to a viral infection (all had become ill on the tramp in via the Andrews Stream track). Recovery by Authur's Pass Police.

Temple Basin 26-08-01

Snowboarding Accident : Male snowboarder fractured both legs (femurs) after a long heavy fall in the Mt Phipps basin area. Apparently snowboarder was descending the central gully area of Mt Temple with a companion, when he lost an "edge" whilst stopped to route find, falling over the lower bluff line. Evacuated off mountain by WestpacTrust Air Ambulance.

Mt Philistine 04-08-01

Male climber (16 yrs) killed as a result of injuries sustained in a fall down Warnock's Bluffs whilst ascending towards Mt Philistine. The climbing party were ascending the "step" gully through Warnocks Bluffs. Whilst ascending the slightly steeper upper pitch the climber slipped and fell approx. 100m to the base of the bluffs. He was not wearing a helmet. Conditions on the route at the time was loose snow & ice. Climber's companions raised the alarm. Recovery by Arthur's Pass Police & Coastwide Helicopters.

Craigieburn Skifield 23-07-01

Class 2 avalanche on the lower access tow (12:45hrs). Initiation on the upper zig zag by snowboarders. Assumed three people caught in path, all extracted. Probe line carried out extensively over avalanche path (nothing found). SAR attended by Field Staff, Police Rescue Team (were at Broken River), 2x avalanche dogs, WestpacTrust & Garden City Helicopters, Darfield Police, Mt Hutt Police, Arthur's Pass Police, APRES, Christchurch Face Rescue squad placed on standby - thank you everybody! Another Class 2 avalanche was reported near Porter Heights skifield at 17:09hrs, all safe.

Mt Franklin 03-06-01

A male climber slipped and fell 20 metres during an ascent of Mt Franklin (part of a party of 6). Alarm raised from Goat Pass hut via the DOC radio system by a member of the party. Suspected rib and neck injury. Rescue coordinated by Arthur's Pass Police, with recovery by the WestpacTrust Air Ambulance.

White River 11-05-01

A male tramper slipped on rocks whilst descending the White River in poor conditions, he was evacuated to Carrington Hut by his tramping companion, where the alarm was raised via the DOC radio system. Injuries sustained included a suspected broken jaw, and bruising of the head. Rescue coordinated by Arthur's Pass Police, with recovery by the WestpacTrust Air Ambulance.

Mt Rolleston 11-04-01

A party of 2 climbers had successfully completed the Otira Face route (High Peak Direct), one climber fell whilst free-climbing towards an abseil sling (this sling was probably placed in icier conditions) situated on a ledge at the base of a rotten narrow couloir above the Crow Glacier (slightly to the west of High Peak). The climber fell some distance down the face and into a bergschrund at the base, he has died as a result of this fall. His partner spent Wednesday night on High Peak in deteriorating weather, before moving to Low Peak during Thursday in poor visibility. A ground search of the upper Otira Valley icefields took place on Thursday in very poor weather conditions (heavy rain, strong wind, fog). A helicopter search on Friday morning found the 2nd climber just below Low Peak on the upper Rome Ridge, a ground party located the climber in the bergschrund. Search and recovery by Christchurch Face Rescue Team, APRES, Mt Hutt Helicopters & NZ Police.

Mt Rolleston (Otira Face) 08-04-01

Mountaineer climbing solo on the Otira Face "Direct" route (ie. almost directly adjacent the central gully - right side) has fallen whilst ascending a particularly steep & slabby area of rock. The severity of the fall has taken him down the bluffs (undetermined distance), over an open bergschrund, and 50-60m further down a snowslope. The climber died as a result of severe head injuries sustained in the fall (he was wearing a helmet). Search and recovery by Christchurch Face Rescue Team, Airforce Iriquois Helicopter & NZ Police.

Avalanche Peak 31-03-01

Overseas day walker rescued from cliff-face on Rough Creek side of Avalanche Peak. Had spent almost 16 hours clinging to narrow ledge above 80m drop (overnight Temp -7ºC), after becoming disorientated in heavy cloud cover. Rescue effected by Arthur's Pass Police, APRES and Mt Hutt Helicopters. Suffering cuts & scratches, dehydration and coldness. Very, very lucky!

Bealey - Mingha Rivers 28-03-01

Solo tramper rescued from flooding Bealey River by team of Connectics technicians. Suffering mild hypothermia, cuts and abrasions. Post-care by DOC Arthur's Pass.

Waimakariri Col 04-02-01

Tramper evacuated by air (WestpacTrust Air Ambulance Helicopter) from Rolleston River side of Waimakariri Col. Badly sprained ankle. Alarm raised by tramping companion after descending Rolleston River to Otira.

Barker Hut 03-12-00

An American tourist was flown out of Barker Hut (at the head of the White River) after experiencing severe back spasms, preventing him from walking out (radioed DOC from hut). Flown to Christchurch Hospital. All other details are sketchy - NZ Police initiated evacuation by air.

Temple Basin Track 15-10-00

A 25yr old German male tourist (snow boarder) went missing whilst descending the Temple Basin track after 18:00hrs. Alarm raised by concerned companion when failed to arrive at car park after dark. Last seen descending hillside off Track above Twin Falls area. Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) commenced a foot search of the "zig zag" and Twin Creek escarpment from 21:00hrs until 00:30hrs, failing to find him. Conditions : Sleet / snow, 50km/h winds, flooding. His body was found lodged on rocks in Twin Falls Creek above lower foot-bridge by Christchurch rescue team on Monday morning. He had sustained severe head injuries.

Mt Rolleston 20-5-00

Two climbers attempted climb of Otira Slide route onto Mt Rolleston on Friday 19-5-00. Weather conditions at the time were cloud base lowering into valley and rain/sleet developing. Apparently on their descent from Low Peak they were held up by "loose" snow conditions and a percieved avalanche risk. They became benighted on reaching Goldney Ridge and decided to bivy out (they had bivy, sleeping equip).

SAR operations were initiated on Saturday morning at 9am. An Otira Valley ground search by Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) was turned back by increasingly poor conditions on the Otira Slide (another party of descending climbers were also turned back by poor conditions). SAR operations were temporarily suspended until wx clearance. Christchurch Face Rescue Team and a helicopter were put on standby for when the search would resume Sunday morning.

The two climbers got down unassisted late Saturday evening after apparently descending the Bealey Slide (via lower cliff and waterfalls) after becoming disorientated on the Goldney Ridge in poor conditions that day (cold but in good health).

Crow Valley 9-1-00

Two young women plucked from the western escarpment of the Crow Valley (safe and well), after getting severely disorientated in yesterday's fog whilst attempting the Rome Ridge - Avalanche traverse. Search hampered by the fact they were unable to signal helicopter, and were kilometres from intended route. Ground search by Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES) and volunterrs, recovery by WestPacTrust Air Ambulance Helicopter. Christchurch face recovery team put on standby but not used.

Kelly's Creek 2-1-00

A women slipped and broke lower leg (2 places) whilst ascending lower Kelly's Creek (before Gorge bypass). Recovery by Arthur's Pass Rescue (APRES), Arthur's Pass Police / Ambulance and volunteers, transported to Christchurch Hospital by WestPacTrust Air Ambulance Helicopter.

Mt Rolleston 27-3-99

Male climber lost footing whilst descending Otira Slide upper ice basin (wearing crampons). Tumbled about 10 metres. Possible fracture to lower right leg, plus lacerations caused by iceaxe and ice burns. Self rescued by two companions to point at end of moraines. Final recovery by Arthur's Pass Mountain volunteers, and WestPacTrust Air Ambulance Helicopter.

Avalanche Peak 20-2-99

Male tramper fell over large rocky drop at base of scree some 250 metres below summit of Avalanche Peak on Crow River side. Died from injuries sustained in fall (head injuries & broken neck?). It is unclear why he was exploring this area, as it clearly goes off cliffs. Alarm raised by travelling companions. Recovery by Arthur's Pass Police on Sunday.

Otehake River 3-10-98

Injured tramper and partner airlifted from Otehake Hut (school party). A rock fell on one party member whilst he was traversing a loose scree slope (minor chest injuries sustained). This happened day 2 of a 5-6 day tramp so rescue was not called until they became well and truely overdue. As WX was also bad during this time assumptions were made that they were held up by flooding rivers. Their intended tramping route was remote, and abnormal (not just the Otehake).

Mt Blimit 15-08-98

Snowboarder slipped and fell off ice covered slab on western face of Mt Blimit (with only one foot in a board binding), fell to Bill's Basin tarns. Extensive lacerations to body and face, broken arm and ankle(?).

Rescue was by the WestPacTrust Air Ambulance Helicopter teamed with onboard paramedics, and Temple Basin Ski Patrol.

Mt Rolleston 08-08-98

Climber fell off Rome Ridge, towards Goldney Glacier (not roped?). Could not self-arrest because of conditions. Most other details are presently unknown. Survived fall, fractured collar bone, leg (?) and ribs, plus extensive bruising and facial lacerations. Alarm raised by another party lower on route.

Rescue was by the WestPacTrust Air Ambulance Helicopter teamed with onboard paramedics and Village Volunteer Mountain personnel.

Avalanche Peak 26-7-98

Day climber fell and slid for 150 metres from Avalanche Peak track towards head of Rough Creek. Apparently slipped while down climbing rocky knob in crampons, dropped iceaxe, could not self arrest on ice. Stopped 10 metres short of large drop. Injuries - sprained wrist and ankle, lacerations to hands.

Browning Pass 29-4-98

Missing tramper was found dead at head of Arahura River (O'Connors Creek), adjacent Browning Pass. He apparently fell or slipped off a shingle slide falling some 150-200 metres, subsequently having his body later washed a further 300m downstream. Died instantly (head injuries). He was not on track, may have been disorientated by mist / fog.

Sudden Valley 23-4-98

Missing tramper in Hawdon Valley / Sudden Valley system. Body not found to date. Direct any new information to Arthur's Pass Police at 03 318 9212.

Mt Rolleston - East Crow Glacier 11-4-98

This accident involved two climbers, short roped together, crossing the head of the East Crow Glacier around the buttress. The seconding climber slipped, attempted a self arrest but failed (possibly losing her iceaxe), the lead climber could not hold the fall, and was dragged downslope, he too could not arrest the fall.

The fall-line of the lead climber passed over several imbedded rocks. The seconding climber suffered minor hand lacerations, sprained ankle and post shock. Both climbers fell through about 200 metres of slope, finally slowing and stopping on less steep ground. The lead climber suffered extensive internal injuries, and lacerations.

Rescue was by the WestPacTrust Air Ambulance Helicopter teamed with onboard paramedics and DOC mountain staff.