Two dead in the Tararuas

brings back memories of a similar surprising incident http://www.landsarwellington.org/about-us/history/historical-searches/october-1980-rimutaka-forest-park./ THREE HARRIERS, OCTOBER 1980, RIMUTAKA FOREST PARK. Saturday October 4 1980 was cold for the time of year, with a southerly storm through the Wellington region. Nevertheless the Wellington Baptist Harrier Club had set out on a Saturday afternoon club run, with about 18 of them heading into the Rimutaka Forest at the Catchpool carpark and setting off over the Orongorongo track. When they reached the Orongorongo River most decided to turn back, and just the three fittest and fastest in the group opted to continue to complete the old Trampers’ Marathon circuit which would usually have taken 60 to 90 minutes from there. This run was well known to these runners, and well known to most trampers and SAR people through that era, as there was a race over the course as a feature event in the combined tramping clubs sports weekend held in February each year. One Daniel O’Connell was held in awe through those years as being the course record holder and unbeatable down hill. The three runners did not return to the carpark as expected and Police were called about 6pm.

@geeves, I presume Tim Suttons description was on a Main range trip he did at the same weekend? I don't see any mystery in what happened. as shown 3 runners succumbing all together has happened. The tops can be equally lethal in summer, as in winter, given certain conditions. The Tararuas are a relatively low range, but history has shown many have taken them too lightly Cause could turn out to be something different, of course

There's a fine line between everything being fine and things really starting to unravel on the tops in bad weather. I remember trying to do this trip around the shortest day when I and a friend were about 19. We got as far as the top of Winchcombe in complete blizzard conditions, snow on the ground and snowing and blowing heavily. It was clear further bipedal progress would be impossible, so we dropped of the side of Winchcombe and down the spur into the head of the Tauherenikau. Crossed the river on snow covered boulders, bashed up through the snow-covered leatherwood onto Bull Mound. My recollection is that it got dark as we got onto the track on Bull Mound. Fortunately another party had gone up Bull Mound and through to Alpha Hut earlier so we had tracks to follow through to Alpha Hut. We were cold and completely wet in snow conditions from dark in the morning to dark at night but didn't think too much of it though we were pretty thankful to stumble in the door at Alpha. The things that get you in trouble are cold+wet+wind+exhaustion. Defences are good gear+fitness+food to keep you going+skills to stay on route. Missing any one of those in the combination of conditions above and you're in trouble. Fitness includes both physical and mental capability.

with hypothermia. it can be black and white, if your core body temp drops too far in cold weather, it will disable you, if you cant reverse the drop in body temp, it can kill you. the weather may or may not follow your expectations, it does what it does.. its neither for nor against you... if you cant maintain your core body temperature in adverse weather, the consequences can be serious and can come quickly

That landsar article has very wise advice: "Wet, wind and cold – take any two."

From 30 minutes ago: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/319281/trampers-died-of-hypothermia-police

Not sure it wont happen again. Its difficult for some to understand, what the conditions can be like, even in summer.

there have been a lot of cases recently where peoples lives were only saved in the mountains, because they were able to summon a rescue team by air or land in the nick of time...

a few kilometres away, two other well equipped people died from hypothermia http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/features/4258473/Lost-how-tramp-turned-to-tragedy

Its just a tragedy. As far as time goes back man has succumbed to the elements while traversing tops. We are creatures of the valleys, rivers and forest floors. We feel our most alive while pushing ourselves to our individual extremes. With the equipment and knowledge at our hands now we usually only push ourselves to these extremes of our own accords. As a pastime to push ourselves past the hum drum of our everyday lives. No matter how fit, prepared or experienced we are. We will be by chance, by odds, by shear bad luck not be able to push ourselves past these boundaries and be caught out. Our friends families and loved ones will not see the nobility of our pursuits. They will just see the tragedy of their beloved falling in a situation where it should never of happened and they will go why? I hope they will be alright.