One of the common “mistakes” many trampers do is that they don’t leave entries in ALL the huts they pass on their route. It means that even if you don’t stay in the hut overnight, you still should leave entry saying that you have been there. This way if something happens to you and you need rescue, searchers will get to you much more quickly and easily. It is also would be a good idea, especially if you tramp on your own, to carry a personal locator beacon. And, of course, always check the latest weather forecast and track conditions at the nearest DOC office before going.

I got the urge to write this post while I was reading the news about an Auckland man who got trapped in floodwaters along the Ngaruroro River in Hawke’s Bay. This man had to spend six days (!) waiting for rescue. The searchers checked books in 4 DOC huts along the Ngaruroro river and didn’t find any entry from this man. They said that it would be much faster and easier to find him if he would leave entries in ALL huts along his path. The thing that really helped this Auckland man was the fact that he had left his travel details with a friend and his employer, and when he didn’t return from his planned 9-day trip, his friend called the police.