Have a hmmm on your next tramp

Each summer thousands of hikers and walkers enjoy the country’s diverse tracks on offer. Unfortunately, injuries happen, and when we get hurt it affects our family, friends, workmates and many others around us too. 

The good news is that nearly all of these tramping-related injuries are preventable. If we can see it coming, we can stop it from happening. 

Abbie’s Story on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing 
 

Abbie Law was faced with the reality of making a tough decision in harsh weather while tramping with her partner and friend on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (TAC). Speaking up can feel awkward when tramping in a group, but Abbie wishes she had done that before attempting the multi-day hike.

It was meant to be the couple’s completion of their seventh Great Walk. But the TAC can be unforgiving when the weather turns, and Abbie says they are proud they made the right decision to turn back despite the feeling of disappointment.  

To know each of your tramping partner’s limits is to know that you can make a well-informed and safe decision when out on New Zealand’s tracks. When planning a tramp – it pays to think about risks that might pop up and figure out the best ways to manage them. 
Read her full story 

Five tramping and hiking tips for staying safe 

1. Choose a track that suits everyone's abilities 
2. Check the weather and be prepared for it to change 
3. Always take a rain jacket and warm clothes, and extra food 
4. Tell someone where you're going 
5. Stay together and make decisions as a group
6. Preventing an injury

1. Choosing a track that suits everyone's abilities

• It’s important to choose a trip that suits you and everyone in your group.  When you are looking at the options, make sure you think about everyone’s fitness levels and experience in the outdoors.   
• Ask yourself: How hard is the trip? Will everyone in the group be able to do it? How long will it take to complete your trip? Will you be able to finish it during daylight? Is there a river crossing required, if so, do you and your group know how to do that safely?

Find a track to suit you in Plan My Walk

2. Check the weather and be prepared for it to change

• Weather can make or break a trip so it is one of the most important things to consider when going into the outdoors. No matter what the weather is, it will impact your trip. New Zealand’s weather changes fast so you should be prepared to encounter any weather on your trip.  
• Before any trip, check the weather on the MetService website. If there is bad weather forecasted, think carefully about whether your trip will be safe and consider changing or cancelling your plans. Pay careful attention to weather watches or warnings in the area you’re planning on visiting.

Learn about the weather

3. Always take a rain jacket and warm clothes, and extra food

• Any trip, even if it is short or easy, needs preparation. Packing the right things makes trips safer and more enjoyable.    

• When packing, consider all types of weather, and pack items in case something unexpected happens, such as needing to stay out for an extra night. For example, you’ll need warm clothes and extra food.
  

Learn about supplies

4. Tell someone where you're going

• Telling a trusted person your trip details and when you expect to be home is an important planning step.  
• We all want our trips to go as planned – but sometimes they don’t. If you got hurt or lost on your trip who will know and how will you get help? Share your plans with someone you trust. Tell them where you are going and when you will be back. If they don’t hear from you by an agreed time, they should call 111 and ask for the police. 
• PlanMyWalk.NZ assists trip planning by collating all of your trip information ready for you to send to group members and trusted contacts. 

Learn about communication device options

5. Stay together and make decisions as a group

• The best way to enjoy your experience in the outdoors and make it home safely is to look out for one another. Eat, drink and rest, stick with your group and make decisions together.  
• While on the track, discuss how everyone is feeling. If someone is struggling, don’t keep going – have a break and consider changing plans. Make decisions together. It's important that all group members agree to changes in the planned route or transport arrangements.

Learn about skills while tramping

6. Preventing an injury

Most injuries occur on uneven or loose terrain, and of those injuries, smaller falls and slips make up the majority and can be far more common. Four tips to preventing these injuries: 

• Warm up and stretch before you set off  
• Consider using walking poles  
• Watch where you place your feet  
• Wear hiking boots for support on uneven ground   

Further support

• Plan My Walk can help those planning their next adventure through each of these steps by supporting the search for a suitable track and checking for alerts, checking the forecast and weather alerts, an interactive gear list; and all of this can be sent to group members and a trusted contact. Visit Plan My Walk or get it from your app store.
  

About 'Have a hmmm' 

• This story is part of ACC New Zealand's Have a Hmmmm... awareness campaign.
• 'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. 
• Injury can have life-changing impacts – for those who are injured, their whānau and society. Around 90% of injuries are not random events. They're predictable and therefore preventable. Yet, ACC sees 5,000 injury claims per day. That's around 2 million claims a year. 
• ACC is starting by asking New Zealanders to do something easy: take a moment, 'Have a hmmm' and think of others before acting. Learn more about the campaign here.