PHOTO
If you have plans to ‘‘go bush or back country’’ this long Anzac weekend, the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council is urging trampers and hunters to take extra care.
Recent turbulent weather and the sudden arrival of wintry conditions across the southern regions, has prompted the call to be prepared for all conditions.
Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said even on short walks or a quick hunt out the back of the farm, it was essential to carry extra warm layers, a waterproof jacket, a warm hat, gloves and a head-torch.
‘‘Anyone planning to head into the outdoors this long weekend needs to keep up to date with the forecast and be prepared for changeable, colder conditions and shorter days.
‘‘You may set off in sunshine, but temperatures will drop quickly once the sun sets.
‘‘It’s also easy for people to get caught out by the shorter daylight hours and find themselves walking in the dark.’’
He said if rain was forecast in the area, consider how it would impact the trip.
‘‘The ground is already saturated in many parts of the country, so it won’t take much to cause flooding, rivers to rise and slips.
‘‘Research your trip and if there’s an unbridged stream or river crossing on your route,
you may need to change your plans.’’
He also warned that many tracks may have sustained damage from fallen branches and trees, slips, and flooding during the recent severe weather.
He urged hikers to factor that into their planning, including identifying alternative routes and places where they could backtrack to a hut or shelter if they did come across substantial damage.
‘‘Check track alerts on Plan My Walk before you head out, but be aware that you may be the first to come across damage to tracks or infrastructure.
‘‘Allow extra time for your journey, and pack essential emergency gear as you may be forced to turn around or change your route.’’
He also recommended taking an extra day of food, an emergency shelter like a tent, tarp, bivvy bag or bothy bag, and a reliable communications device, like a personal locator beacon.
Mr Daisley said anyone who came across significant damage to tracks or infrastructure, should report it to the Department of Conservation or the local council when they returned home, and leave a track review in Plan My Walk to help inform others of what to expect.