Disagreements over rescues from Tongariro Crossing

Friday, 1 February 2019

DoC says rescues from the Tongariro Crossing have dropped significantly compared to previous years. SAR disagree.

Claims that this summer has seen a reduction of rescues from the popular Tongariro Crossing are being disputed by those actually doing the rescues.

The popular walk has been the location of many a rescue over the years with trampers wandering off track, taking wrong turns, or underestimating the climb and the time needed to do it.

A report released last year showed search-and-rescue missions in the Central Plateau, which includes the crossing, shot up 163 per cent over the past few years while all other national parks remained stable.

Trampers have been known to wander off tracks, take wrong turns, or underestimate the climb and the time needed to do it.

But the Department of Conservation says things are on the improve with rescue numbers down this summer.

The Department of Conservation placed rangers along the Tongariro Crossing this summer to encourage people not to climb to Mt Ngauruhoe.

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The crossing is one of the country's most popular.

'Discouraging summit visitation and removing references to summit routes on track and publications has drastically reduced the number of rescues from Ngauruhoe and Tongariro Summits,' acting operations manager for the Tongariro District, Mere Mokoraka, said.

'As well as reducing the overall number of rescues on the track, due to visitors completing their hike earlier without visiting summits.'

Removing references to summit routes arose because of Tongariro National Park's United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) dual World Heritage status for its cultural and natural heritage values.

'There is a very strong imperative to acknowledge those things which are of particular importance to iwi Māori,' she said.

However, Mokoraka was unable to give exact numbers of rescues as yet.

But senior constable of Taupō Police and Search and Rescue, Barry Shepherd, said rescues from the crossing were on par with previous years and he wasn't sure where DoC where getting their information from.

'Our police records show that rescues are very similar to the last two-three years with about 9-10 taking place so far. The activity, according to our records, are very similar also with rescues needed for small injuries or being overdue.'

Shepherd agreed with Mokoraka's statement that rescues from the summits were down, but said this wasn't new and had been occurring for some time.

'They are right in saying the number of jobs off the summits have declined but that's been like that for the past two-three years as well.'

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing remains a must-do on many tourist's lists but being prepared is what everyone can agree on.

Mokoraka said the recent release of the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council's Tongariro Alpine Crossing video had helped visitors prepare for the hike.

The video, which was released in October, gives an overview of how to prepare for the popular but potentially risky track. It covers off what the track looks like, where the mountain passes are and where the track travels on a 3D map.

It also has advice on the best time of year to do the track, the equipment necessary and handy tips on avoiding known hazards.