Thread: Lost for a month

I came across a tramper half starved and mentally exhausted at a hut 2 hrs from the road during the roar, been there 4 days and was on the 11th day of his expected 5 day walk. Just a foreigner way out of his depth and experience, lead into a dangerous situation by a lack of available current information. I'm kind of shocked some of you guys would even suggest the idea of murder...

Originally Posted by K95

I came across a tramper half starved and mentally exhausted at a hut 2 hrs from the road during the roar, been there 4 days and was on the 11th day of his expected 5 day walk. Just a foreigner way out of his depth and experience, lead into a dangerous situation by a lack of available current information. I'm kind of shocked some of you guys would even suggest the idea of murder...

Was that the American chap I met?

Originally Posted by gimp

Was that the American chap I met?

English. He had arrived in Hokitika and asked at the DoC office for information on the track but was told they know nothing of the track conditions in the Hokitika area and he must go away and do his own research. He insisted on talking to someone about the tracks but was turned away. He then googled the route and got a mix of information most of which was not accurate and set off on his trip. Search and Rescue was after him in the notar the day I got him across the river and on his way.

What's worse is that he left intentions at his hostel and they reported him overdue to the Police and the Police drove out to the carpark and left a note on his windscreen asking him to call them when he gets out. He ended up 6 days overdue before Search and Rescue began looking.

A work mate had the same experience in the same area two years ago, 4 days overdue and his wife still couldn't persuade the Police to begin a search. Had to ring a friend and he organised a helicopter.

Not a good look.

Originally Posted by K95

English. He had arrived in Hokitika and asked at the DoC office for information on the track but was told they know nothing of the track conditions in the Hokitika area and he must go away and do his own research. He insisted on talking to someone about the tracks but was turned away. He then googled the route and got a mix of information most of which was not accurate and set off on his trip. Search and Rescue was after him in the notar the day I got him across the river and on his way.

What's worse is that he left intentions at his hostel and they reported him overdue to the Police and the Police drove out to the carpark and left a note on his windscreen asking him to call them when he gets out. He ended up 6 days overdue before Search and Rescue began looking.

A work mate had the same experience in the same area two years ago, 4 days overdue and his wife still couldn't persuade the Police to begin a search. Had to ring a friend and he organised a helicopter.

Not a good look.

Wow, that a different stance to what I experienced on Stewart island. No contact on radio or spot device for 3 days and the chopper showed up, no need for it but comforting to know that they were there

Originally Posted by K95

English. He had arrived in Hokitika and asked at the DoC office for information on the track but was told they know nothing of the track conditions in the Hokitika area and he must go away and do his own research. He insisted on talking to someone about the tracks but was turned away. He then googled the route and got a mix of information most of which was not accurate and set off on his trip. Search and Rescue was after him in the notar the day I got him across the river and on his way.

What's worse is that he left intentions at his hostel and they reported him overdue to the Police and the Police drove out to the carpark and left a note on his windscreen asking him to call them when he gets out. He ended up 6 days overdue before Search and Rescue began looking.

A work mate had the same experience in the same area two years ago, 4 days overdue and his wife still couldn't persuade the Police to begin a search. Had to ring a friend and he organised a helicopter.

Not a good look.

Doesn't sound like he went to the DOC office, maybe the I-site

Originally Posted by gimp

Doesn't sound like he went to the DOC office, maybe the I-site

It is a pretty standard DOC response.

Originally Posted by K95

English. He had arrived in Hokitika and asked at the DoC office for information on the track but was told they know nothing of the track conditions in the Hokitika area and he must go away and do his own research. He insisted on talking to someone about the tracks but was turned away. He then googled the route and got a mix of information most of which was not accurate and set off on his trip. Search and Rescue was after him in the notar the day I got him across the river and on his way.

What's worse is that he left intentions at his hostel and they reported him overdue to the Police and the Police drove out to the carpark and left a note on his windscreen asking him to call them when he gets out. He ended up 6 days overdue before Search and Rescue began looking.

A work mate had the same experience in the same area two years ago, 4 days overdue and his wife still couldn't persuade the Police to begin a search. Had to ring a friend and he organised a helicopter.

Not a good look.

Not a good look at all