Is enough known to be confident if they would have left good written intentions at Arthurs Pass under the old system?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7076667/Hot-pools-help-trampers-survive-in-snow
Hot pools help trampers survive in snow
I've just read the link and see they were in the Otehake. This is quite a high use area with trampers regularly coming from Canterbury having crossed Harpers Pass or from Aickens to visit the hot springs. Presumably the overdue party were on the TR and had been visiting the hot springs. Don't know why they didn't cross to the TL when the river started rising?
Until very recently there was a swingbridge over the Otehake downstream of the pools. It was pulled out earlier this year because DOC didn't have the money to maintain it!
Public money spent on this search (and future ones) because people can't ford the Otehake would have gone a long way toward maintaining the bridge and preserving the old intentions system. I can see this sort of thing happening again at the Otehake. It is pleasing that no one drowned!
sounds like they didnt pay attention to the forecast, plus foreigners may not have realised they were likely to get cut off.. it was minus 8 at arthurs pass village, it may not have been that cold down where they were., still not good if you dont have enough gear....
last winter another couple were reasonably equipped but still struggled with the cold when they were stuck just south of arthurs pass... it was enough to put them off winter tramping altogether...
Frank and I once came across a couple of young fellas who'd wisely refrained from crossing the Otehake, camped overnight and called up a helicopter. We noticed them standing on the bank watching us cross the Otehake with great interest. When we went up to them, we offered to escort them across and cross back again so they cancelled the helicopter. Of course the bridge was upstream (in those days) but I don't think they could get to it or didn't know about it. Very annoyed to see that bridge go. Nigel Popplewell - young scout- died crossing the Otehake in the 70's I think. He is not forgotten.
