Beware the unsettled autumn weather.
That was the message yesterday from the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC) to those intending to venture into the bush and beyond.
Chief executive Mike Daisley was commenting about recent incidents, including the disappearance of a 20-year-old American woman believed to have been swept away by the Young River in Mt Aspiring National Park on Saturday.
Mr Daisley said April had been ''characterised by unsettled weather and a high number of outdoor incidents''.
''Even experienced outdoors people could be caught off guard,'' he said.
People should wear layers of clothing to guard against the cold, take extra food and consider alternate routes should the weather force a change of plan.
People should check weather forecasts before setting out.
He described river crossings as ''one of the greatest hazards'' in the New Zealand outdoors.
''The consequences of bad decision-making and poor judgement could be serious and immediate.
''Many New Zealand rivers rise quickly, and may flood more quickly in areas that haven't seen rain in a while.''
Rivers also went down quickly and there was ''no shame in waiting it out'', he said.
The danger signs of flooded rivers were ''discoloured, cloudy, surging water, the sound of rolling boulders on the river bed, trees or large debris and water moving faster than walking pace'', he said.
''Before crossing, consider six key points: your entry point, exit point, the run-out below your crossing point, the depth of the water, speed of the water and the river bed surface.
''Then ... take a moment; do you feel comfortable crossing is a question you should always ask yourself, and if in doubt stay out.''
Those crossing a river should support each other to increase stability, he said.
''If you lose your footing and are swept away, you should stay on your back, keep your pack on with belt done up, with your arms out and feet up to help defend yourself from ... rocks or obstacles.''
