Emergency action taken by hiking party to save lives
In the heart of New Zealand's Remutaka Forest Park, a group of experienced trampers and hunters found themselves in a precarious situation during an overnight tramp on September 17. Steve Healy, Lisa Healy, and Mike McIntosh embarked on an adventure to the Boar Inn, but little did they know that Mother Nature had other plans.
The group began their journey from the Catchpool Valley carpark, prepared for the forecasted heavy rain later in the afternoon. However, the rain started earlier than expected and was torrential for hours, turning the Orongorongo River, a braided river they would later encounter, into a swift and muddy obstacle.
Despite their experience, the trio knew better than to underestimate the power of the river. They reached the Orongorongo River at around 5:45 PM and found it to be low, but the Mountain Safety Council's primary safety rule echoed in their minds: "If in doubt, do not attempt to cross a river." They decided to wait and regularly check the river level.
The Mountain Safety Council, a New Zealand organisation dedicated to promoting safety in the outdoors, encourages trampers to familiarise themselves with their river crossing safety resources. In this case, the group had a pre-planned strategy in case of complications during the river crossing. Each member had wet weather gear and extra food, and Steve Healy carried a GPS and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for emergencies.
The heavy rain continued throughout the night, and about 29mm of rain was recorded between 5 AM and 6 AM at the nearby Wainuiomata North Metservice weather station. The group spent most of Friday waiting for the rain to stop, but the river remained too high and fast to cross safely.
The next morning, the river had dropped significantly overnight, allowing the group to safely cross back. The Mountain Safety Council's chief executive commended the decision-making of the Healy family, emphasising the importance of critical assessment and preparedness in such situations.
This real-life example underscores the Mountain Safety Council's advice: always check your local weather forecast before attempting a river crossing, and be prepared to change your plans if river conditions are unsafe. If unsure about crossing a river, the Council advises to "wait it out".
[1] Plan My Walk: https://planmywalk.nz/
[2] MetService: https://www.metservice.com/
The group's adventure, initially meant for the Boar Inn, transformed into a wait by the Orongorongo River due to heavy rain, turning the river into an impassable obstacle. Despite their preparations for sports in the outdoors, the trio wisely chose to follow the Mountain Safety Council's advice and wait until it was safe to cross the river.
