Police warn Tongariro walkers after spate of rescues
Police are again warning people of the dangers of walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing after 11 people were rescued from Tongariro National Park in recent weeks.Police rescued nine people within Tongariro National Park over Easter Weekend, including a group of six adults and a two-year-old child. When the group was found, some were suffering from hypothermia, and rescuers thought they would have died if they were not rescued.
(Perhaps this blog should also complain about the recent ridiculous proposal to remove the rescue helicopter from the Taupo base? I bet it was a Wellington decision!)
“The crossing is not a casual walk in the park – it is an alpine crossing in a volcanic environment that requires a high level of fitness and understanding of weather conditions,” Shepherd said.“You need to plan and prepare for alpine hikes.”Shepherd called on tourists to avoid walking the crossing during wet or cold whether.“If the weather is not favourable, do another activity, don’t risk your life.“If it’s raining and cloudy down low, it is likely that the scenic views will be obstructed, and it will be wetter and even colder at altitude – it’s not fun hiking in cold wet conditions and there are often much safer and still enjoyable alternatives, which can be recommended by i-site or DOC visitor centres.”
It’s the second time this year police have issued a warning about the crossing. In January, Shepherd also urged walkers to be better prepared for the TAC after six people were rescued from the crossing in a week.
The article was timely as TRM had just complained to the AA about their promotional material for the Tongariro Crossing, for the Northern Circuit, and for the Tongariro National Park.
Why? There was not one hint of warning in three brochures about the need to carry extra warm gear to provide for rapid changes in the weather conditions and low temperatures at alpine altitudes etc. Instead they had photos of fine sunny summer days to mislead tourists. Tourist offices are just as guilty selling shuttle bus tickets and providing misleading advice to tourists on days when the weather is marginal.
TRM’s complaint to AA is repeated below:
Congratulations on your “8 autumn adventure series” which included the Tongariro Northern Circuit…. but;
Could you please proof read it together with your other promotions such as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Tongariro National Park: volcanoes of the south wind
It is sad that I have to write to explain to you that this is an alpine walk at high altitude. Nowhere in your promotion is there any warning of the need to wear or carry additional suitable warm and waterproof alpine clothing to cope with the danger of rapidly changing weather.
We have operated a motel at Turangi for the last 13 years where we receive a regular stream of tourists, both local NZ and from overseas, who arrive to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing but have never been warned of the alpine environment. At this time of the year they really need polar gear. The temperatures at the top are minus. Yet where is there any warning of this in the AA blurb? The misleading photos are all taken in hot summer temperatures – not in Autumn…
There are massive numbers of tourists who now have this walk on their “bucket list”. They arrive in light clothing – T shirts and jandals even – so it is difficult for us to talk them out of it when they are unprepared after they have read all your glowing reports without one word of warning…After reading your travel stuff it is no wonder the emergency helicopter is needed up there so often to save walkers suffering from hypothermia. 
At TRM motel we keep a full range of old swan-dris and hooded coats etc. which are needed almost every weekend because of misleading tourist promotional reports that do not warn of the dangers. i.e. On one occasion a few years ago just before Christmas, three Australian visitors lost their way when it snowed heavily and obliterated the track and they ended up lost. The Police search party eventually found them about 2 am on the track south close to Oturere Hut but they could not see it due to the snow. They confirmed that our additional clothing saved their lives. OK?
I should add you are not alone in not warning tourists – the various iSite visitor centres are no better. So next time please be more responsible. OK?Below is our own short one minute video prepared about four years ago to warn tourists of the dangers of rapidly changing weather conditions on the trail. The two girls from Sweden started their walk in fine warm conditions but almost froze at the top when the weather rapidly closed in – hopefully the short “slide-show” style of presentation illustrates the danger and need for more warnings.