Wanaka Search and Rescue has been too busy...
Five call-outs in a couple of weeks! Too many accidents and deaths of a tragic nature for Wanaka Search and Rescue of late. I've been on standby, so bags packed I took quite an interest in what might be coming up! I don't mind waiting, and understand the need - any operation is sophisticated and military like, and it has to be.
The last operation finished yesterday and it was for a hunter who went missing in this terrain in Mt. Aspiring National Park. Not easy country the Rob Roy valley and glacier...
A typical operation begins at search HQ Wanaka. And sooner rather than later a team is dispatched. There is a nice helicopter landing area up behind the Dept of Conservation HQ in town. Here members get ready to fly into Cascade Saddle a couple of years ago at this time of year, to look for a missing tramper. It's sort of opposite Rob Roy...
It was a shock to be landed on Cascade Saddle in cold mist, with the odd snow flake threatening...
A last briefing between SAR members about to start a close area contact search on foot on Cascade Saddle, with the Dart Glacier in the back ground... 
The success [and safety] of any operation has a lot to do with communication and trust. It's not all training though, as pre Xmas every year we have a get-together and a meal, with speeches and awards [we've been recognised nationally more than once]...
Training has many aspects in many different environments, such as this river safety day...
All too often I reflect on why some tragedies are not averted! It's a complex topic, and after the above mentioned Cascade Saddle operation I blogged extensively, hoping my advice would be found. I've had a few email me, so this has been encouraging.
Enough to post here on the same topic again, adding to the below older one, dated Jan. 2009!
The last operation finished yesterday and it was for a hunter who went missing in this terrain in Mt. Aspiring National Park. Not easy country the Rob Roy valley and glacier...
A typical operation begins at search HQ Wanaka. And sooner rather than later a team is dispatched. There is a nice helicopter landing area up behind the Dept of Conservation HQ in town. Here members get ready to fly into Cascade Saddle a couple of years ago at this time of year, to look for a missing tramper. It's sort of opposite Rob Roy...It was a shock to be landed on Cascade Saddle in cold mist, with the odd snow flake threatening...A last briefing between SAR members about to start a close area contact search on foot on Cascade Saddle, with the Dart Glacier in the back ground... The success [and safety] of any operation has a lot to do with communication and trust. It's not all training though, as pre Xmas every year we have a get-together and a meal, with speeches and awards [we've been recognised nationally more than once]...Training has many aspects in many different environments, such as this river safety day...All too often I reflect on why some tragedies are not averted! It's a complex topic, and after the above mentioned Cascade Saddle operation I blogged extensively, hoping my advice would be found. I've had a few email me, so this has been encouraging.
Enough to post here on the same topic again, adding to the below older one, dated Jan. 2009!
Last Sunday I had the opportunity to take a few more shots while helping search for a missing tramper [Irina Yun - now presumed drowned - if you wish to read a comprehensive overview of the scenario then Bob McKerrow a highly respected and experienced NZ mountaineer has compiled an overview on his blog].
The Cascade Saddle is actually the low point on...
>> more via Cascade Saddle Search and Rescue operation in Mt Aspiring National Park.
posted by Donald at
4:24 AM
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