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Post by Coolkat on Aug 26, 2016 6:49:19 GMT -8
A Czech hiker who went missing a month ago in the snowy mountains of New Zealand has described the "harrowing" ordeal in which her partner died.
Pavlina Pizova said she and Ondrej Petr began hiking the Routeburn track in Fiordland National Park on 26 July, but got lost in bad conditions.
After one night in the open, Petr, 27, slipped in a steep ice slope and died, Ms Pizova told reporters.
She said she spent the night with his body before moving on to find shelter.
She then stayed in a hut for almost a month.Source BBC
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 26, 2016 7:33:31 GMT -8
We should all have a hut like than when lost! (Not to downplay the tragedy of Petr's death).
I gather they were trying a winter hike of the route, when the huts (and permitting system) were closed. It's not something I'd want to do, but we don't know if they were unprepared or just unlucky.
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 26, 2016 7:53:50 GMT -8
We should all have a hut like than when lost! Not only that but a hut with supplies! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2016 9:41:20 GMT -8
Ms. Pizova was very lucky.
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franco
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Post by franco on Aug 26, 2016 15:43:10 GMT -8
If nothing else she did the right thing by staying in the hut but yes in the circumstances not a bad hut to find... " She first explored the public 50-bed facility, before climbing through a window into the smaller warden’s hut , which was better supplied and more comfortable. Pižova had food, firewood and gas to stay warm. There was also a mountain radio but Pižova was unable to understand the English instructions for operating it."  the hut in better weather. |
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Post by johntpenca on Aug 26, 2016 18:37:47 GMT -8
Don't know their experience or skills, but in my opinion they missed a few alarm bells and should have retreated earlier.
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Aug 29, 2016 5:04:06 GMT -8
Looks downright cozy. Shame to hear about the partner though.
"Ms Pizova was taken to hospital where she was interviewed by police, who described the case as 'very unusual'." Perhaps she had ulterior motives for bringing him out there...
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geosp
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Post by geosp on Aug 29, 2016 14:35:16 GMT -8
The Routeburn track typically takes 2-4 days. I took 2 days last summer and should imagine a winter crossing with snow could certainly increase that to 4. You'd want to be well sure of your capabilities to make it in winter with a heavy snowfall. There are 30+ avalanche paths along that track and it covers remote alpine terrain. I'm wondering why they would have set out on a winter crossing without notifying anyone of their intentions, or without a plb or a tent - I would have thought that even a tentative investigation of a winter crossing would have persuaded them to at least notify someone of their intentions and to carry shelter. More so if they were experienced and therefore aware of the things that can go belly up. Even in summer, NZ's often rapidly changing wx conditions can bite you in the bum, particularly at altitude or making river crossings. (as many overseas visitors have discovered over the years)
A lucky (and tough) lady and a very sad outcome for her partner Petr and his family.
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