Teen’s ‘scary’ chopper rescue
A teenager who was winched off Mt Taranaki – one of two to be rescued off the mountain in recent days – is lamenting a broken wrist ahead of a hot summer.
The rescue comes as millions descend on the country’s mountains over summer and the Department of Conservation warns visitors to prepare themselves for ‘‘unforgiving’’ alpine environments.
Josh Cameron, 14, was rescued off a remote part of Mt Taranaki on Friday after falling and breaking his wrist during a day trip. Josh was with friends and family, seeking snow on the mostly bare slopes, when he slipped on gravel and fell.
The group rang for help from a cell phone, and used sticks and a singlet to fashion a makeshift splint for his throbbing, swelling wrist.
‘‘We waited ages for the helicopter, I was happy when I saw it.’’ The bumpy ride to the hospital was ‘‘scary’’.
Josh was the second of two trampers to be rescued by helicopter off Mt Taranaki during the past week.
It happens often enough that Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter Trust general manager Andy Cronin recommends trampers wear bright orange or yellow clothing to make them easier for rescuers to find. ‘‘Someone wearing a navy or grey shirt, when they’re in beside a rock you look very similar, whereas bright stuff is easier to see. Some people carry a fluoro vest.’’
He also urged people to take a personal locator beacon, which sends a signal with the location to rescuers, or a cell phone if there was coverage.
‘‘You should plan and prepare in case something does go wrong, rather than hoping it doesn’t.’’
DOC is warning climbers heading into the back country over summer to remain vigilant about safety.
Aoraki/Mt Cook operations manager Brent Swanson says the national park, where DOC expects more than a million visitors this year, is an ‘‘unforgiving’’ alpine environment.
‘‘You should plan and prepare in case something does go wrong, rather than hoping it doesn’t.’’ Andy Cronin
‘‘While many will enjoy the majestic landscape by popular walking tracks such as the Hooker Valley, other more adventurous visitors may be out climbing,’’ Swanson said.
‘‘We encourage all climbers to seek advice from the DOC visitor centre and the avalanche advisory website before climbing in Aoraki/Mt Cook, but conditions can change rapidly at any time.’’
Snow falls year-round in the park, meaning higher-altitude avalanches can happen at any time of the year.
Climbers at higher elevations can be at particular risk during the summer, DOC says.
Three people died in separate avalanches in Aoraki/Mt Cook area in 2018. two the