Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: Samm on October 11, 2011

Title: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: Samm on October 11, 2011

Just thought I'd share an interesting email I got last night. I'm booked to walk the Milford Track in New Zealand in a few weeks and they sent me an email last night to say that due to heavy snowball in the last few weeks the current avalanche risk is considerable. If things don't improve in the next 3 weeks then we can get a full refund or walk most of the track and they'll helicopter us over the dangerous bits (for £40!). Now I was very excited about the prospect of walking the Milford Track but to walk AND helicopter it just has me excited beyond belief!! Anyway, just thought I'd share how other countries do it!!

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: twentyclicks on October 11, 2011

That's just awesome on all levels!

New Zealand  :D
Distance trek  :D
Snow  :D
Helicopters  :D


Have a great time  8)

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: MG1 on October 11, 2011

Sounds great have a good one. :)

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: LandyLiam on October 11, 2011

haggle on the helicopter price  8)

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: LennyJ1 on October 11, 2011

I am Very jelious, have fun

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: Samm on November 09, 2011

Just to update this - the Milford Track was mindblowing. Blue skies, snowy mountains, awesome views AND a helicopter over 4 km of avalanche danger zones. Don't know how I'm ever going to be satisfied by Mournes walking again!!

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: LennyJ1 on November 09, 2011

I too would love to see your photos.

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: Samm on November 11, 2011

Won't be home til December. Will post pics once I'm back and de-jetlagged!!

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: Samm on November 15, 2011

Just to keep the trip sharing going. Lying in my tent listening to the rain. Yep, could be Ireland, but no. When I look out of my tent I have 3000m+ snowy mountains and glaciers :-) Rain is due to ease overnight, so I think an early night is planned and then a dawn hike to watch the sun rise over Mt Cook! Fingers crossed for a cloudless sky.
And more amazingly, I have 3G coverage here. I don't even get that back in Donaghadee!!

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: Samm on December 14, 2011

I haven't had a chance to properly go through the Milford Track photos, so instead here's one of Mt Cook. Glaciers, icebergs, avalanches and 3000m+ snowy mountains. That was indeed a good day....

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m3_VrMqXENI/Tto1R0cvWcI/AAAAAAAADLQ/8BJoN-RTqro/s640/Mt%252520Cook_Panorama.jpg)

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: twentyclicks on December 14, 2011

oh baby, that's awesome!  8)

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: LennyJ1 on December 15, 2011

That is a brilliant photo Samm. Not jelious at all

Title: Re: Avalanches and helicopters
Post by: Samm on December 15, 2011

Thanks guys. I can't really take credit for that photo, with scenery like that you couldn't take a bad shot.

Hmmmm, wonder if I can sneak it in to this months photo comp!!