Tag Archives: article

The Price of Great Walks

Posted on 15 June, 2014 by Mike McGavin

Last month an incident occurred, out of season, on the Milford Track. I’ll reflect on a few things before getting to it. In New Zealand we have an enshrined legal right to enter most parts of the Conservation Estate. (I … Continue reading →

Posted in musing | Tagged accident, article, closed land, department of conservation, government policies, great walks, milford track, musing, rivers, search and rescue, tramping | 13 Comments

Clarity on not charging for Search and Rescue in New Zealand

Posted on 18 February, 2013 by Mike McGavin

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This incident occurred just over a week ago, but I’ve avoided posting until now. I was annoyed when I first saw it, and still am, but not for the same reason as most other people who have expressed their brief … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged article, government policies, media, mountain safety council, plb, police, rccnz, search and rescue | 22 Comments

A Brief Question: Public Land Access Rights and DoC

Posted on 22 January, 2013 by Mike McGavin

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The introduction below was an opinion piece thefor the November 2012 Federated Mountain Clubs Bulletin. With permission I’m republishing it, plus extra content that includes legal references and various opinions of my own. Please be mindful that nothing here is … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged article, department of conservation, government policies, public access | 4 Comments

Heuristic Traps of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Posted on 1 May, 2012 by Mike McGavin

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Leaving South Crater near the end of spring. A rescue that may have been inevitable occurred in Tongariro National Park on Saturday, when 16 people were rescued from the Tongariro Crossing, at least four of whom were in early stages … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged article, department of conservation, media, search and rescue, tongariro, tongariro national park | 25 Comments

A Crossing to Remember: A Tararua Southern Crossing in 1920

Posted on 20 January, 2012 by Mike McGavin

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Several days ago, I noted that it’s almost 100 years since the Southern Crossing Track was completed, which is pretty cool. This, however, was only the beginning of a significant tourism venture for both the Otaki and Wairarapa regions. At … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged article, book, government policies, history, media, tararua southern crossing, tararuas, tramping | Leave a comment

Let’s acknowledge some Avoidable Mistakes

Posted on 4 August, 2011 by Mike McGavin

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Last week was a very media-busy time for people being rescued from the New Zealand back-country. That time of year again, perhaps? Just a general kind’a day when the weather’s not so happy. This eventful day, where our actions were … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged article, link propagation, media, news, search and rescue, tramping | 6 Comments

How the Cave Creek Accident shaped DoC

Posted on 26 April, 2011 by Mike McGavin

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If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you might have noticed me comment occasionally about ways in which the NZ Department of Conservation’s safety policies influence an experience in the back-country. I refer to things such as asset numbers … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged article, department of conservation, favourite, federated mountain clubs, government policies, history, search and rescue | 11 Comments

The Next Three Hours

Posted on 11 September, 2010 by Mike McGavin

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Last weekend, when four of us bailed out of our trip through Leon Kinvig Hut in the Ruahines, part of the reasoning was the weather forecast. All things considered I think we made a good decision, and it started me … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged article, favourite, huts, tramping | 12 Comments

Re-living The Sutch Search (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on 1 September, 2010 by Mike McGavin

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Following from part one and part two. “It is, therefore, reasonable that the actions of Trampers who become—or are believed to be—lost should be thrown open to examination, and, if necessary, to criticism. When a party that was expected to … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged article, change of plans, federated mountain clubs, history, newspaper clippings, search and rescue, snow, tararua tramping club, tararuas, tramping | Leave a comment

Re-living The Sutch Search (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on 30 August, 2010 by Mike McGavin

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This post follows part 1 and is continued in part 3. From Evening Post, Issue 100, 1 May 1933, Page 7: TRAMPERS FOUND IN THE TARARUAS AFTER A FORTNIGHT IN THE RANGES.— The four trampers who have been travelling through … Continue reading →