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socialclimber
Nov 10, 2004, 9:45 AM
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09 November 2004
A Romanian climber dialed 111 when he couldn't find a hut he was looking for on New Zealands Mt Cook.
The Saturday evening call, on a Romanian cellphone, was patched through to the Christchurch communications centre.
Twizel police were alerted and a search and rescue operation, involving about half a dozen people, started.
The operation was stood down about an hour later, around 7.45pm, when the climber's intended destination, Mueller Hut, radioed through that the man had managed to find his way.
Constable Brett Simon of Twizel police said the man apparently had been somewhere above the hut, but there were communication difficulties.
It appeared the climber had missed the track, Mr Simon said.
Often climbers coming to New Zealand were expecting alpine tracks to be signposted, with highly visible markers, rather than having to be able to read a map and understand the terrain.
tIt appeared the man – in his 50s to 60s – planned to spend a few days climbing around the Mueller Hut area.
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz
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winglady
Nov 10, 2004, 2:16 PM
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Funny :lol: (in a stupid sort of way)!
We've hiked to the Mueller Hut across the valley from Mt. Cook (it isn't ON Mt. Cook as the article implied). Frankly, the trail was pretty easy to follow. And if the guy was really having problems finding the hut, it should have been pretty simple to just drop back down into the valley, where it would have been virtually impossible to miss finding Mt. Cook Village and all the hotels, hostels, restaurants, and shops there.
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usmc_2tothetop
Nov 10, 2004, 5:21 PM
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OMG.... I can't find the trail head....quick call 911.
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mtngrl
Nov 12, 2004, 9:35 PM
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This was great! I've woundered if any one has ever done something like this....figured some one has....and this supports that! lol
Guess they felt like since the technology is there why not...lol...although they should of had a better idea of where they were at in the first place.
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socialclimber
Nov 13, 2004, 8:40 AM
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People use cell phones all the time to rescue themselves here. Trampers and hunters and in paticular boaties. Doesn't happen so much in Mt. Cook National Park though. Better than flying a body out I guess.
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speedywon
Jan 14, 2005, 2:06 AM
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Registered: Jan 5, 2005
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Those darn ear mounted microwave towers are making people too bold. Hikes and climbs that they would have never dreamed of doing ten years ago they are now taking a stab out because they think they can just call for help if they get into trouble. People get a cell phone and a handheld GPS and think they can circumnavigate the globe. Society is replacing their brains with micro chips.
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markguycan
Apr 25, 2005, 4:19 AM
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Registered: Sep 26, 2003
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I totally agree Speedywon, the advent of the cell phone has allowed people to be feel bolder than they really are. I guess Sh!t will still happen when somebodies batteries die or reception isn't good. Word to the wise- don't expect a rescue, be prepared to rescue yourself.
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socialclimber
Apr 27, 2005, 7:35 AM
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Mountian radios are avalable for hire @NZ$40 per weekend. These radios are monitered by the police and the National Rescue Center but many climbers still don't use them.
and why would they? There are solar powered plugs at the Grand Pleatu hut(someone correct me if the names wrong) on Mt. Cook, for recharging your cellphone. :roll:
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steezy
Jun 14, 2005, 6:46 AM
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Registered: May 30, 2005
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Forget two way radios, I'm gonna start bringing a cb radio with me up routes. I'll be safe that way.
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nraged
Aug 24, 2005, 8:51 PM
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Registered: Aug 24, 2005
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I use radios all the time when base jumping and climbing. Mobile phones are good when you are dying or about to die, but I don't think its that cool to get rescue people all into action when you are just lost and need to learn how to read a map. Mountain conditions can be very unpredictable and people get scared of dying too easily these days!
Ultimately the problem will be solved by technology and the latest mobile like the Motorola A1000 has a built in GPS.
P.S hello and climb on! - this is my first post!
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tadam2000
Aug 24, 2005, 9:07 PM
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Registered: Oct 17, 2004
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Good story. Who says men won't stop and ask for directions? :lol:
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athabasca
Oct 9, 2005, 4:06 PM
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Registered: Sep 24, 2005
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Hay have you ever been to the Canadian Rockies? so I have heard the NZ mountain es are are just the same or better for alpine climbing I have never been to NZ so I was hoping to get your thought on it . and if you have climbed in Canada were?
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pinkydancer
Oct 19, 2005, 12:25 PM
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Registered: Apr 8, 2005
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Seems kind of funny to me.
"I can't find my way, quick call 911!"
Hehe. Oh well. Live and learn
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