Thread: Lost for a month

Originally Posted by kotuku

back to original thread .
I read somewhere that DOC had in fact instructed these two that the route was closed and they were not to attempt it .
seems they ignored that instruction
.if so ,well sorry ,but youre the bloody author of your own misfortune ,.the matter is further complicated by her claims both are experienced mountaineers
'-HMMMM-other experienced mountaineers/trampers i know all say they wouldnt hesitate to follow DOCs instructions.
mother nature is a cruel bitch to the foolhardy

I hadn't read anywhere that they were experienced mountaineers, where was that from?

To be honest most DOC office/visitor centre staff don't have a clue about anything that isn't in a pamphlet and I (along with many other experienced trampers/mountaineers) ignore them quite often, much better to check weather & avalanche forecasts etc and make your own decision. I've been through plenty of DOC tracks that were 'closed' by someone sitting in an office when there was no issue at all on the ground, and I've turned back due to obvious avalanche hazard when they hadn't mentioned it.

If you can get information from a ranger who actually frequents the area you're planning to go then its useful - otherwise you often may as well save some time and ask the bloke at the local petrol station.