Our friends at NZ Mountain Safety Council have put together 5 tips to prepare for a short stroll, day walk, or an overnight adventure in New Zealand. 

We recommend using the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s planning tool, Plan My Walk before you go. It gives you the tools and information you need to plan a safe and successful hike. Find a suitable track from a database of over 1600 tracks, real user reviews and photos, official track alerts, interactive gear lists, custom track builder, trip planner and MetService weather warnings, and much more!

Then, as you’re lining up an awesome adventure in this beautiful country, be sure to have a quick read of the below tips before you head out!

1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRACK

It’s important to choose a trip that suits you and everyone in your group.

When you are looking at the options, make sure you think about everyone’s fitness levels and experience in the outdoors.

Some questions to consider are:

• How long will it take to complete your trip? Will you be able to finish it during daylight? Remember to add extra time for travel, lunch and rest stops.
• How hard is the trip? Will everyone in the group be able to do it?
• Do you know which way to go? Will it be easy to follow the track and not get lost? Packing a map and track description will help.
• What is the landscape like? Are there any dangerous parts or difficult sections?
• If the weather is bad, can you still do the trip? What would you need to do differently?
• Will you need to cross a river? Make sure you’ll be able to do that safely. You should also be able to recognise when a river is unsafe to cross.
• How will you get to the trip? Many tracks start and finish in different places – plan how to get back to your car.
• What clothing and gear do you need? Does everyone in the group have it?

2. UNDERSTAND THE WEATHER

New Zealand is known for having 4 seasons in a day, so it’s best to be prepared for all weather scenarios by having the right clothing and equipment.

• Before any trip, check the weather using New Zealand’s public weather forecasting service, com. This is also the source of weather forecasts and alerts used in Plan My Walk. If there is bad weather forecasted, think carefully about whether your trip will be safe and consider changing or cancelling your plans.
• Pay careful attention to weather watches or warnings in the area you’re planning on visiting.
• To learn more about ways you can be prepared in the outdoors for New Zealand’s weather check out this handy webpage.

3. PACK WARM CLOTHES AND EXTRA FOOD

Any trip needs preparation. Packing the right things makes trips safer and more enjoyable. If you’ve planned your trip using Plan My Walk, a default gear list is provided for you so you can ensure you have at least the essentials.

If you are going on a short trip, always pack: 

• A waterproof jacket (shop men’s, women’s, youth)
• Warm clothes 
• A warm hat (shop men’s, women’s, youth)
• Gloves (shop men’s, women’s, youth)
• A torch 
• A sun hat (shop here for men’s, women’s, youth)
• Sunscreen 
• Some extra food and water 
• A communications device (e.g. cell phone)
• A first aid kit  

For a longer trip (a long day walk or overnight trip), pack: 

• Everything on the short trips list above
• Extra food and water
• An emergency shelter (e.g. tent, bivvy bag or tarp)
• An emergency communications device (e.g. a distress beacon)

These things will help keep you safe if the weather turns bad, you have an accident, get lost or are delayed. Check out our range of outdoor gear here. 

4. SHARE YOUR PLANS AND TAKE WAYS TO GET HELP

Telling a trusted person your trip details and taking a distress beacon can save your life.

• Before you head out, tell a trusted person where you’re going and when you’ll be back so they can call for help if you’re not back in time.
• You can use Plan My Walk to easily do this – once you’ve make a trip plan, send it to group members and trusted contacts, including your emergency contact.
• Carry a reliable communication device. In some areas, your mobile phone might be ok, however in areas without mobile coverage you’ll need to take a distress beacon. Check out our range of personal locator beacons here.

5. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER

The best way to enjoy your experience in the outdoors and make it home safely is to look out for one another.

• Stop regularly to eat, drink and rest.
• Discuss how everyone is feeling. If someone is struggling, don’t keep going – have a break and consider changing plans.
• Make decisions together. It’s important that all group members agree to changes in the planned route or transport arrangements.

Groups splitting up is a common cause of search and rescue callouts. If someone in the group is slower, put them at the front or make sure you are walking at a pace that suits them. You should also stop and wait at every track junction/bridge to ensure you’re still all together. Don’t just walk on ahead and leave them to meet you at the end of the trip.
For more great tips on multiday tramping, check out more information here.

This blog was written by the NZ Mountain Safety Council.