Exploring the Kaimanawa Forest: A Nocturnal Journey's Insights
**Veteran Trampers Spend Unplanned Night in Kaimanawa Forest**
A group of three trampers, aged around 70, found themselves spending an unplanned night on the tops of the Kaimanawa Forest Park after a series of navigational challenges and adverse weather conditions.
The trio, who initially planned to trek in the Tararua Ranges, changed their destination due to severe gales. They set out on their journey, but soon encountered difficulties. The fishermen they met along the way warned them that the track up to the hut was overgrown and not well marked. Despite this, the group pressed on, hoping to reach their destination before nightfall.
However, by mid-afternoon on the second day, they had been on the move for 12 hours and realised they would not make it to Boyd Hut, their intended destination, before dark. With no tent and the weather deteriorating, they decided to spend the night on the tops of the forest.
The group managed to find shelter in thick bush and had dinner consisting of scroggin. They spent the night wrapped in warm layers and sleeping bags, managing a few hours of sleep despite heavy rain and chilly temperatures.
The following morning, the group spent four additional hours backtracking to find the lost marker poles, but were unsuccessful. They eventually decided to continue their journey and reached Oamaru Hut the next day, where they spent a comfortable night.
The group learned valuable lessons from their experience. They realised the importance of allowing enough time to research a route before a tramping trip, and the need to be prepared for unplanned night outs in challenging environments.
In light of their experience, the trampers are considering several improvements for their next trip. These include carrying emergency shelter, checking weather forecasts thoroughly, allowing extra time, packing appropriate layers and insulation, carrying communication devices, and reviewing first aid and hypothermia management.
The Plan My Walk app, which allows users to choose tracks, read reviews, get alerts, build a gear list, and share their plans before going on a trip, could prove useful for the group in the future. The app's reviews offer personal accounts of tracks, huts, and campsites, providing valuable insights for trampers.
[1] Outdoor experts recommend these changes to mitigate the risks associated with unplanned overnight stays in challenging environments.
The trampers are considering incorporating emergency shelter, checking weather forecasts more thoroughly, allowing extra time, packing appropriate layers and insulation, carrying communication devices, and reviewing first aid and hypothermia management as part of their lifestyle changes for their next outdoor-living expedition. Their home-and-garden project might involve investing in utilizing technology like the Plan My Walk app, which offers insights on tracks, huts, and campsites, aiding in better planning for their sports-oriented adventures.
