Southern Traverse
Bad Weather Hampers Rescue Effort
Susan McKenzie / 19.11.2004
Racers often complain that the mandatory gear (extra fleece, sleeping bags, and rescue beacons) add unnecessary weight to a pack. This year’s Southern Traverse is no exception: for mountain treks, the race management required among other things, two extra fleece, sleeping bags, a tent and a cookstove.
Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park is making full use of all of its mandatory gear tonight. The team was caught up on the Alexander Ranges last night when the weather closed in. They pitched the tent and settled in to be rescued. A rescue team was sent in this morning, but the poor weather restricted helicopter use and, as the day progressed the weather worsened and visibility was down to nothing.
A rescue team went in and got within speaking range of the team but was unable to pinpoint the team\'s exact location in the dense scrub.
“For safety reasons we’ve brought the rescue party down and the team will spend tonight in their tent,� said Geoff Hunt. “In the morning we will go in and get the team off the range.�
The weather is supposed to improve tomorrow morning, which will make for a safer rescue effort.
[Ed - Race HQ subsequently reported the team picked up by helicopter at around 6.30am. All are safe and well and they rejoined their support crew at TA7.]
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