New alpine search and rescue team set up at top of the south

A new alpine search and rescue team has been set up at the top of the South Island, to deal with the increase in rescue callouts in recent years. 

Nelson Bays Search and Rescue squad member Senior Constable Reuben McCormack said the new alpine division was established in May, with planning going back to 2018. 

"It's something we realised last year was a necessity, because of the increased number of alpine searches," McCormack said. 

"There were a couple of times when we didn't have enough properly trained or equipped people to do the searches in the alpine environments, so we thought we needed to form that team for this year."

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So far during the winter season, there have already been two rescue callouts in the Nelson Lakes region. 

Takaka woman Tracey Smith of Golden Bay died on June 2, after becoming "severely hypothermic" in blizzard-like conditions with minus 16 wind-chill weather in a mountainous region of the Nelson Lakes National Park.

Just 24 hours before, two hikers were rescued in a nearby area, found in "deep snow" 1800 metres above sea-level and about 4 kilometres away from the nearest hut. 

McCormack said about 20 people have joined the new alpine team, with another 10 or so set to join at a later date. 

Prior to 2019, alpine cliff rescue crews had to be brought in from Christchurch, Wellington, or Fox Glacier. 

"We've got specialist groups for a lot of the other rescue situations, but our response previously for alpine rescues was people we personally know, and then when it's high risk we call the alpine cliff rescue team."

McCormack said the new members of the alpine rescue team had been recruited from local LANDSAR and alpine club groups, rather than training new members from scratch. 

The first workshop for the teams would be held on June 28. 

"It's more about confirming who has the correct gear, who has the correct skills, to ascertain what level they can operate at. We want people who can look after themselves ...  who have the skills and experience of being in blizzard-like conditions."

McCormack said exposure to the elements was the biggest problem for trampers in alpine conditions. 

"The biggest difference is in the alpine there's no shelter, no trees or anything when the wind starts blowing and the snow starts.

"If they don't have any shelter or they can't make a shelter, they die or are in very bad circumstances."

He said on occasions trampers could be ill-equipped and inexperienced in dealing with alpine conditions. 

"Some are really experienced hikers and have good hiking gear, but above the bushline that kind of gear and experience is insufficient.

"If people are going above the bushline, they need to be better equipped and better prepared."

McCormack said the rescue team would cover the top of the South Island, from Kahurangi National Park through to the Kaikoura Ranges. 

Between 2007 and 2017, 10 trampers died while tramping in the Tasman district. 

In 2018, Malaysian man Chien Han Chee, 25, died while attempting the Mt Robert ridge route at Nelson Lakes National Park, despite being apparently well-prepared for the conditions. 

Stuff