We were group of six trampers hiking the Wangapeka Track across the Kahurangi National Park located in the north west corner of the South Island New Zealand. It was 26 April 2018 and we were 5 days in. We made a simple mistake. We separated and our party of four was left without a map. We took a wrong turn and lost the track.

After following what we thought was the way to go, we knew we were lost. At 5.30pm, with darkness settling in we set off our beacon. It was cold and we got into our sleeping bags and survival sheets – we were in for an uncomfortable night. 

We expected help to arrive in the morning.

But within an hour we heard the helicopter. 

With the aid of the beacon and our head lamps the helicopter was right over us. We were winched up from a nearby river flat where the trees were fewer. 

The fantastic Westpac Helicopter Rescue team operating out of Nelson soon had us at the hut we were aiming for. We joined our companions who were very worried and planned to set their beacon off in the morning.  

The ResQLink 406, what a great beacon. Our signal was picked up immediately.

The Nelson Westpac Helicopter team, what great people. Thank you, although we hope we never need it again.