The Tramping Report

Weetbix on the Motatapu Track

I can't imagine a lot of people are busting to walk the "Motatapu Track". I put it in quotes because it isn't really a track, even in the loose NZ context, but rather just a roughly sketched route through some high-ish tussocky hills between Wanaka and Arrowtown. It isn't even in the Motatapu valley, only near it.

Sadly, a young Australian woman decided to give it a go. I don't want to add to the poor thing's misfortune so I won't dwell on why or if she should have, or her subsequent situation.

But I suspect that all the publicity this "arduous" track has had will probably lure a good number of NZ trampers to "test themselves" up against its "challenging difficulties".

NZ has so much to offer, this "track" doesn't merit getting onto the front page of anyone's wish list.

But you can decide for yourself.

Here's a link to a slide show of an Otago Tramping & Mountaineering Club trip through it:

http://otmc.co.nz/archives/images/Motatapu2008/index.html

This is a link to a Department of Conservation brochure:

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/wanaka-area/motatapu-track/

And here's a link to some info about it on Matthew Walker's Tramping.co.nz website:

http://tramper.co.nz/?2795

Should we pay to be rescued?

At least once a year, usually around this time, NZ newspapers run a story about the costs of rescuing trampers and mountain climbers. The Timaru Herald was first off the blocks with the topic this holiday season with the headline: "Mt Cook search costs to remain public".

The item is well balanced and the reporters did a good job in getting all the information together. Probably the only thing missing was a comment from the Federated Mountain Clubs.

However it did prompt the usual set of responses from people who write like angry drunks.

If you scrolled on past them you would come to a letter I contributed. I've published it in both places because NZ newspapers don't fully support the internet yet :

"So many cases of people injured or overdue from tramping or climbing in the back country achieve sensational treatment in the news media. If you forgot the huge numbers of New Zealanders that enjoy outdoor recreation, you might think it was a common occurrence.

People involved with search and rescue like the publicity too, as they enjoy the rare kudos from what they do and want to ensure politicians keep making funding available.

However this publicity does generate public concern.

I wonder how this would change if the same reporting was given to incidents of similar severity that occurred working around the home, or on the sports field.

ACC statistics I've seen list rugby, soccer, netball, motorsport and snowsports as the top five for recreation accident expense. And I do often read of DIY and urban based recreation tragedies in Coroner's reports, that never gained headlines at the time."

My point is that the costs of rescue or medivac for trampers or climbers are miniscule compared to the costs of other sport and recreation, DIY activities and transport accidents. If the question is asked of one it has to also be raised of all.

Also, the "Tramper Lost!" or "Climber Killed!" headlines are not joined by the equivalent "Farmer Breaks Spine on Quad Bike!" or "Home Handyman Falls off Ladder!" or "Unfit Man Suffers Heart Attack Playing Touch!". These are far more common events but are no where near as newsworthy.

Another point is that no one asked for professional SAR. The police and other government agencies get funding to help them develop their skills at finding people who might not be so keen to be found. SAR is just a useful training opportunity.

So, it really is a bit more complicated than the question makes it sound.

The real Lucky Beach

I feel sorry for Colin Moore, editor of Wilderness Magazine. It's obvious he's dedicated to putting out a first rate magazine for trampers, among others. But the poor guy seems stuck with relying on a bunch of clutzy amateur contributors. So many of these wouldn't know how to check a fact if they needed to use it as an abseil anchor.

The other month it was John Rhodes presenting the Grant Wheaton "don't-try-this-without-parental-supervision" dodgy rivercrossing technique.

This month's edition has the glitch right on the front cover. It features a photo of a couple walking in the surf on a long sandy beach on Stewart Island. The caption says it is "... Lucky Beach..." and attributes it to Rob Brown/Hedgehog House.

Well I guess many people will recognise in the photo here the Lucky Beach I remember on each of my sojourns to the glowing skies of Rakiura.

I'm pretty certain I've got it right too. I know I checked my map many times  every day walking that magnificent coastline.

In fact the beach of the cover photo was Smoky Beach. That's a day's journey away on the other side of Yankee River hut from Lucky Beach.

But anyway, I guess it's easier for me to remember which is which. I spend 11 months of each year thinking about our next trip across Foveaux Strait. And that isolated and pristine stretch of sand along Smoky Beach features in a lot of my daydreams.

 

Come to think of it, I can even smell the masses of Easter orchids (Earina autumnalis) just up the track at the western end of the beach.

Anyway, I've suggested to Colin that he reward his eagle-eyed readers and fund it by fining his sloppy contributors. Now I'm sure that would generate interest, and fix the problem.