You cannot say it was arrogance... it is infact arrogant to believe we know the mind of another.. Whatever reason it was a terrible decision followed by a couple of other bad choices. I know i have made some terrible choices, luckily none have ended in death just yet...
@@paulparadoxia - No, you are wrong. It was arrogant not to listen to an EXPERT who lives and works there. It is arrogant to think to oneself, "THAT would NEVER happen to ME!", which is exactly what went through their minds when they ignored sound advice. Clear cut case of arrogance....and it cost one of them their lives and the other lost their partner.
Hi from New Zealand I remember this case.what wasn't said was the track was closed for winter, there were signs telling people it was closed, they chose to ignore this .The hut was locked for winter and she had to break a window to get into the hut.they chose to break the rules and paid for it. New Zealand has a lot of tourists walking our country a lot are not prepared for our ever changing weather. A lot set out with white shoes and are upset by the time they finish they are dirty.
Oh no she broke the window to survive what a terrible person, you’ve got to be joking. I’m sure she was more upset with her dirty shoes and not her dead partner, smh.
@@azovandy14.88You missed the point that they hiked a track that was officially closed and had to break into a cabin that (due to the closed track) was locked. Nobody begrudges the window, but the fact remains they weren't supposed to be on the Routeburn at all.
@@azovandy14.88are seriously this srupid? Nobody is upset about the window. It was the fact the trail was not open to the public because it was out of season. Do you understand that?
I am an avid, longtime hiker. When I encounter sketchy trail, weather or wildlife conditions, I turn back. The trail and my intended destitation will be there another time.
The mistake most people make is thinking that going forward is going to be shorter and easier than the way they came, they take a gamble. The thing is, you managed to get where you are, that way is doable, you know how far and how hard is was. It is a known - the way forward is an unknown, a gamble.
@@nlwilson4892 So true! Many decades ago I was hiking with my husband in the Italian alps. It was a hot September day, we were heavily sweating while climbing up. Suddenly the weather changed and a snowstorm started. We were barely able to see the next step let alone the path markings and decided to return. Walking into the unknown under that circumstances we considered to be too dangerous. We hardly made it back. I suffered from hypothermia and I only wanted to lay down and sleep. My husband had to literally beat me down the path. Added to the frostbites I had a lot of bruises from his beating and kicking me to keep me awake. If we had gone forward, we likely would have died.
03:20 “the ranger advised them against it” 😑 That right there is where they went wrong, from the very start. Rangers should know much more about the terrain than you, so listen to them especially when they tell you not to go.
I would never listen to a ranger, but this guy probably could tell that the two were not capable or prepared for what could be coming. I live daily witnessing "ignorant humanoids" that are lucky to be alive to see another day!
Unfortunately with the 'nanny state' that many governments have become, people don't listen to them any more. It's too easy to dismiss authorities with a "Yeah, yeah" attitude, thinking they are just going overboard and arse covering with their advice. It doesn't help that people are quick to blame the government for any misfortune that befalls them (from tripping over to falling off a cliff), and go down the "I'll sue them for what happened to me" mentality. Not sure which one came first, but the result is people not trusting rules put in place by the government, and governments going overboard with rules to stop people doing stupid things and holding them responsible.
No tears this time....just humble respect for the wilderness. This story is so sad and was so preventable. People often laugh at me when I venture out with lots of supplies. But guess what....as much as I love your channel, I don't want to end up the subject of one of your videos!! LOL!
Yep, totally agree! What I hate is the disrespectful attitude from the hut wardens because of ignorant victims like these! I have been a seasoned hiker in 4 different countries, but because of my diminutive size, I am treated like I haven't a clue! So frustrating!
“When you freeze to death in the night, the only witness is the wind, which will keep blowing long after you’re gone.” Profound statement. You’re quite skilled with your words.
@@adambane1719 The Lord is a witness to everything. Seems like a very random statement to place here, but it is indeed a true statement. The Holy Spirit has been described like the wind in the Bible.
It shocked me when she admitted, "we made a few mistakes". Talk about minimising! They made every mistake it was possible to make. I wonder whose idea the hike was because she is limiting her responsibility in that statement.
@KathleenMcNe She had enough common sense to survive, I'll give her that; but, their actual plan was to exploit the resources stored in emergency shelters, knowing they would be unseen because the trail was officially closed.
@@wiffley It wasn't an emergency shelter. There are a few emergency shelters in remote parts of NZ, but as far as I am aware they are not stocked with food; they are just a tiny hut to sleep in out of the freezing wind. My understanding of the tragedy is that she broke into the wardens quarters, which was stocked with food and firewood presumably left over from the Summer season. I am a New Zealander and have walked this track, several decades ago. I think that the worst decision they made was to continue when conditions worsened. I realise it's always difficult to make the decision to turn back, but the failure to do that is quite often the cause of these sort of tragedies in NZ. That is the advice given by DOC and other outdoor experts, as the failure to turn back usually results in a tragedy. People from overseas cannot comprehend how rapidly the weather can change in our mountains. This tragedy is the worst example of being unprepared, failing to heed advice and failing to turn back that has ever happened in NZ. The fact that this young lady was rescued after just a few weeks was purely good luck due to the honorary console for the Chezq Republic, living very close to this track, happening to notice on Facebook that the couples family back home were concerned about the lack of contact from this couple in NZ. It would have been a physiologically tough time for Pavlina staying in that hut by herself, day after day, week after week realising that the was no realistic expectation of a search. The aircraft that she heard before the rescue helicopter arrived were not on a search for them or anybody else. Pavlina was rescued on the first day of the search, basically as soon as DOC was advised by the Chech honorary console that the couple were missing. My sympathy goes out to her; since we all make mistakes; so let us all learn from this tragedy. On almost every trip that I do into the mountains in NZ I see people with inadequate footwear, clothing, and equipment. Many of them are foreigners.
I walked the Routeburn a number of years ago at during the New Zealand summer. It’s a fantastic track. Even though it was summer, over the Harris Saddle and at one point the track was frozen. So I’m not surprised the track is brutal in winter.
@loudowning3393 😂 soooo much I could say here. But will go with this: Don't be a d*psh*t all your life! Do you have children/grandchildren to march off to war to be vaporized on a non descript battleground in Ukraine? A battleground that only exists to make us poorer and feed the military industrial complex! Kommie-la nor Joe Biden care how many people are killed, as long as some of those BILLIONS of our tax dollars get kicked back over here for them!!!! Also, I hope and pray that not you, nor any of your family are harmed by one (or more) of the MILLIONS of criminals that Joe and Kommie-la have let walk right into our country! I swear!!! You may want to get yourself checked + drink the purple kool-aid, it's the best!!!
Yes! From the comfort of my bedroom, as I'm cozy af in my sumptuous bed, under the comfort of my throw...and suffering along with these (lucky?) people. Seriously, my hot coffee is a luxury. My throw is a luxury. My bed, a miracle. My room, a sanctuary. This video, the stuff of nightmares! 😮😢😏💯👍🏽😥
"I am aware we made a few mistakes." That's quite an understatement. It's always sad when people die early. In this case, two people who looked as though they were old enough to understand what they were _told_ (by people who worked in a place designed to help people make good decisions) just ignored the good advice they were given. One look at that area should have been enough to jolt them into behaving sensibly. Sadly, nothing did.
EXACTLY!!!! And what pisses me off most is the fact that they put so many other peoples lives at risk who need to rescue them due to their own ignorance and hubris.
I find it incredible how many mistakes you have to make to die in the wilderness today. If you would ask me how many mistakes they made I would say 'all of them'. Ignore advice of locals, of signs, of weather forecast - check. Insufficient gear and clothing - check. Insufficient experience and physical fitness - check. No navigation and communication equipment that would last in the expected conditions - check. No equipment to protect from hypothermia in case of an accident - check. Taking that 'short cut' - check.
@@mananaVestamost important: not taking their brains with them. After a close call on the first night you do not continue deeper in the unknown wilderness. Hell, even knowing the trail very well once you keep on getting lost and exhausted just call it and admit you are not for this on that day and with that weather conditions. Get back first thing in the morning and stay alive.
@@maxmillion7634 it is extremely easy to do better than these two. Step 1: Don't go on a trail that is closed. Step 2: If you for some reason still decide to go, make extremely sure you have all the equipment needed (they had none of it). Step 3: When your plan falls apart on the first night because of the snow, realize there is no point in continuing and turn back. Doing any of these things would have saved them both.
Dont forget the majority of NewZealand Search and Rescue are volunteers , unpaid professionals who freely and unselfishly give their time and expertise in conditions often life threatening for themselves . Where I live I often hear the rescue helicopter overhead in the Nelson region and I always think of the people heading off to another incident and wonder about their families at home nervously waiting .Many of the rescues are tourists who never spare a thought for the larger picture .
I do volunteer search and rescue in Australia- not alpine, though we do have alpine search (ASAR). While yes, it is a risk when we go out. It is also what we love. While it sounds callous, when I get a message asking for help with a search- I am sad that someone is lost, but also excited to get to use all the training and experience I have to help. Never ever should anyone hesitate to call for help because they don’t want to burden the rescuers- we love this stuff. We love nothing more than being out there, rain, hail, heatwave- we love the challenge and helping. You are not a burden, you are welcome.
Good recap. Small correction: when she got into the hut and "found food", this is as she had to break into the wardens quarters to find this. These huts are stocked with firewood for every visitor to use, but everyone brings their own food.
I walked the Routeburn a few decades ago, in midsummer. Heading down, we sat on a bench where we could see the final hut down below. On it is a plaque remembering people who had died there in a blizzard a few years before , almost exactly on the date we were there. In midsummer.
As a New Zealander, we get bush craft and mountain safety lessons from an early age. Never, ever, underestimate the outdoors and especially the mountains.
They were in view of the hut, and decided to take a "short cut" which took them miles off course and meantime the weather was getting much worse so they could fine their way back on course..... One decision different, and it's most likely the guy would still be alive today....
Every year people from overseas over-estimate their own abilities and under-estimate just how treacherous conditions can be in the New Zealand alpine environment. It can be a beautiful sunny day and literally an hour later a blinding snow storm. There's a saying in New Zealand about "experiencing four seasons in one day". Our weather really can change that fast. As said in the video, they did so many things wrong. It's incredible that Pavlina survived at all. RIP to her partner.
Another great story. She was lucky there was a cabin stocked with supplies! I can't believe people head out into the wilds so ill prepared. Being prepared is part of the fun of any adventure. Getting your gear together and being prepared during the week before add to the fun and excitement of adventuring. Thanks for all your great videos. New Subscriber!
Agree, Trouble is tourists often think NZ has well maintained easy tracks and don't realise how tough it can be. Years ago my sister and I were on the Mt Somers walkway, a 2 or 3 day tramp, we got to the hut one night when a Spanish couple came in looking exhausted and just carrying a plastic shopping bag with a few supplies in , she was 7 months pregnant, they'd assumed because it was called a walkway it was just a quick easy hike. We gave them food and followed them out the next day to make sure they got out ok. They were very grateful , it could have ended badly if the weather had closed in.
Some people don't want to spend the extra money on expensive hiking jackets or snowshoes they will wear once, when they have fitness wear. If they're on holiday visas picking fruit to earn money, spending several hundred dollars on gear for one-time use is probably out of reach. Also, some people think it will be too heavy to carry.
As a NZer, please, PLEASE either hire or buy a Personal Locater Beacon - they are found at many outdoor stores and can be the difference between life or death.
I would have thought DOC would have had something at the hut for emergency situations to be able to get in contact with authorities. Not a hiker so can't say I have ever stayed in one of their huts
@@paulak7963 There is a radio in the warden's hut, the one she broke into, but she couldn't figure out how it worked. Google their names and you'll find the newspaper reports and the police report. They didn't tell anyone they were going because they planned on exploiting the emergency supplies in the huts and not having to pay hut fees.
@@paulak7963DoC doesn't have the funding to equip every hut they manage with the sort of gear that hikers should carry themselves... indeed huts all over the country are at risk of being removed due to funding issues
Pavlina is an extraordinary person to have survived the odds. She is mentally and physically tough, very tough and I hope she will draw strength from that. I wish her well in the future.
Listen to rangers at the visitor centers or trail head they know far more better than you will ever know it. I went to Zion in middle of July one year & tracked the weather for 10 days before at it stayed at 91-95 deg estimated with 5-10% chances of rain. When I went to get the permit at visitor center the ranger gave me stern warning about keep an eye out on the dark clouds, if you see them turn around & get out or you will die. I was like this is a lil dramatic to be hearing at 7:30am but noted but was thinkin there’s no way it’s guna rain it’s hot af today. My friends & I made about 3/4 of the way to the final spot where the actual tunnels are at but we saw dark clouds far off in distance so we called it & turned around. About 1 hr after we left the trail an insane flash flood thunderstorm rolled in. It was still like 80 deg out but just dumping rain. Still to this day I think that ranger really saved me & my friends life. Without that warning we would been in a world of shit on the way out of the hike.
'Dare to turn back' is one of the most important lessons that was installed in me during an orientation and mountain routine course in the Lake District, UK. I live in the South Island of New Zealand these days and it's still one of the mottos I think of regularly when going out into the wild. The local 'she'll be right' is not a mantra most kiwis would dream of using when it comes to their wild backyard.
She seems like a good person who made horrible, tragic decisions. Her grace after her ordeal is nice to see. I'm sure to this day she is still dealing with the trauma of what happened. The key takeaways: research & prepare. And listen to the rangers. They're not trying to ruin a fun time. They're trying to save you from yourself!
I'm a Kiwi and this is not an unusual story; so many folks grossly underestimate our countryside. We don't have bears or snakes or large cats but the weather can and will mess you up. Or just the environment in general like this.
He was a weak "Snowflake!" His job was a snowboard instructor? Give me a break! She probably never had a real job to teach her how to think and be accountable! City people should just stay in the city where they are in their "elements." The female was more resilient to the outdoor elements than this Wimp!
@@honkytonk4465 because it is too late if you are ill prepared for the weather. It was hypothermia that killed the male . They were not wearing the proper clothing and they hiked in a trail that was closed for the winter season . They had no emergency locators.
People underestimate the power of nature but like most people especially in their youth, they think they can tackle anything at a given moment. Nature will always have the last say.
People look at New Zealand mountains and think they can't be as tough as European mountain conditions. Dude, snow is snow, rocks are rocks, rain is rain. These things can kill you at your local playground let alone up in a mountain. Props to her though for being such a fighter.
Being an Aussie, I'll never understand why anybody goes wandering off into the bush in Winter. I watch these vids fascinated by the climates and the adventures while being dumbfounded by anybody doing any bushwalking in Winter anywhere ever. Seems to be a European thing... To me this explains why this poor couple met nobody on this adventure - nobody but the most experienced local would attempt it.
Winter mountaineering is pretty common. But it is not something to be attempted without a good deal of experience, and of course the proper gear. Add to that the need for sound judgement.
The trail was even closed it was so bad. She had to break into the cabin since it was closed. You need real skill, experience and preparation to do a safe winter bushwalk.
You need to be a good cross country skier, you need gps with enough juice to last, you need winter bivouac equipment - and lots of experience, knowledge of local conditions and physical fitness. Ropes, climbing gear, crampons, ice axes and enough people with experience to operate the ropes if you have to navigate inclines. Then it's kinda fun 😉
I used to backpack in hip deep snow, when even the roads to the trailhead were closed. But I had all the right gear and equipment, and knew what I was doing.
I don't know how it's possible, but each video you do is even better than the last! ❤ thank you for serving your purpose in life, it is enjoyable to watch!
Indeed. It is a story of survival. She wanted to live, that's why survived. I know that her ordeal was self-inflicted but i don't care. What matters is that she survived. There's no mobile phone coverage there. I was thinking to add flares or rockets to my kit in case of hiking in such places. A handheld GPS is a must imho. My Garmin has a low battery consumption mode which i like a lot.
When you are far from civilization, and electric power, the basics then apply. Food, shelter, water. You cant get that from nature unless you know what you're doing. We are so far removed from it, we are unable to survive. Dont underestimate the great outdoors. All it takes is a fall or an infection, and you are in serious trouble in an instant.
Haven't watched yet, but I know this will be a tough one. Learning about folks who ignore sign after sign just breaks my heart. So often in your stories the people break a rule or two and I feel bad for the situations they found themselves in. But others the subjects break rule after rule after rule and it just hurts the good decision maker in me. Thank you for helping me, and others, to make better decisions. I think of you and the lessons you offer often, my friend. You are a great teacher. And I appreciate the care you have for us, to warn us all of the possible dangers of the outdoors.
I appreciate it! Your comment brings me back to when I was searching for the right music for these stories. I searched for days and almost settled just get it over with. But then I heard "Omega" by Scott Buckley. I knew it was it within the first 30 seconds this was it.
@@lisaperry5999 Spot on Lisa. That's what I aim for. Some of these stories can be an emotional rollcoaster. But that means it will resonate with if it does to me. Thank you my friend!
So thankful to be watching this from my warm bed and covers. After watching all these videos I never go anywhere without letting my family know I'm going to Food Lion but I go with supplies. Water, flash light and blanket in my trunk. I can't people listen when they are told it's dangerous 😢
@GeorgiaEddins-dg9ml - good advice! Even if you’re driving a short distance anything can happen. A breakdown, an accident, unexpected weather. My father, R.I.P., taught me how to keep my car stocked for emergencies - bag of litter for traction, a shovel, a board, tire chains, jumper cables, road flares, blankets, water, candy bars 🙏🏾 Thanks, Pop!
She did not take or admit her responsibility in what killed her partner and almost killed her: "We made a few mistakes". What arrogance. And it was this same arrogance that made them think they could accomplish what the experts had a hard time doing.
The trail was CLOSED. Saying it was a few mistakes is insane, they were arrogant beyond belief. I hate being so harsh but there’s no sense of a lesson learned or sense of responsibility.
@@RightsForZombiesShe was crying when she was saying those words. And apologized and thanked rescuers. There was lesson learned and she felt responsible.
@ I meant in regards to that statement specifically. You can cry out of gratitude for being alive and sadness for your loss while still being unable to quite accept you were completely responsible for those things. They went on a closed trail, in winter, without gear, against the warnings of authorities. That’s not a few small mistakes. I know I’m being harsh but I’m not convinced she - at the time - truly understood they were 100% culpable and did far worse than make mistakes. It’s downplaying the actions that got her boyfriend killed and if they weren’t arrogant he’d be alive. I think a little more reflection was necessary but hopefully over time she’s come to realise that without being too hard on herself. She did certainly overcome a lot and should be proud that she helped save herself.
@@RightsForZombies You can't assume from her public statements what she truly feels. They are just that: public statements - and made in the immediate aftermath, at that. What she feels internally may be something entirely different. I'm sure they knew, in real time, every mistake that they made as the consequences of those mistakes happened to them; they knew better than you do. At the end of the day, she experienced a trauma, whether her fault or not. It can't be easy to publicly admit that you and your deceased boyfriend, whom you are still grieving, are at fault for that traumatic experience - even if you know you are. Not only is it likely to evoke extreme feelings of guilt - but also embarrassment. She is an ordinary citizen - not a politician speaking on a scandal who has a responsibility to be frank and open. There's no reason to pick at the statement. She admitted mistakes, showed extreme gratitude for the rescuers, and acknowledged putting them in danger to rescue her. She doesn't need to denigrate herself. Again, she's not a politician. The experience itself taught them in real time what mistakes they made, regardless of what words she uses after the fact to describe them.
I was a park ranger in one of the Parks in Arizona and gave hiking tours 5 days a week, it was amazing how many day hikers would not bring enough water, food, socks, etc and need help. They never wanted to listen to the rangers, ever.
Yep we have that problem here, just because it is summer and sheep creek trail is only 3 miles. does not meen you cannot and will not get stuck in a snowstorm or some other emergency.
Your words blow through me like alpine winter winds through wet summer clothes, causing my mental state to precipitate towards depression like the snow rushes to the valley during an avalanche
Watching this episode provided a fairly extensive checklist of how NOT to approach a hiking adventure. Ignore knowledgeable advice against going. Fail to inform anyone of your plans. Bring inadequate equipment and supplies. Press on when things turn badly. Seeking 'shortcuts'. The only wise decision made was Pižova's decision to stay put once she made it to the hut. Life lessons learned through hardship mean nothing if you don't live to benefit from the knowledge.
Good morning JR, It's so heartbreaking to hear that Andre passed away while him and Pavlina tried to get to McKenzie hut. I can't imagine what was going through their minds during their nightmare ordeal on Mt. Aspiring, first Andre getting Hypothermia then they take a horrible fall down the mountain where he ends up passing away. I'm relieved that Pavlina made it to McKenzie hut and was finally rescued. My heart goes out to her as well as to Andre's family. May Andre rest in peace 🙏🕊️. I hope you're doing okay, I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers daily, may the Lord be near to comfort you and surround you in His love and peace that surpasses all understanding. I'm here for you.🤗🤗🤗
They underestimated the conditions, like many in your videos. Amazing story,and glad she survived! I take part in long distance cycling events, and we all have a spot tracking device so the organisers/friends/Family can track us, and we can call an emergency number if we need to.
Hope you are doing well and taking your days one moment at a time. Thanks for the video, as always it offers the comfort of respectful perspective. We all appreciate you 🙏
I’m so sorry, but….. “Inconvenience” is not nearly the correct word of remorse. RIP to this silly, inexperienced climber And MAJOR KUDOS to the rescue units who RISKED THEIR LIVES 💔😔💔
There is a mountain in New Hampshire that is considered small. But is considered the deadliest small mountain in the world. Mount Washington. Never underestimate any mountain in the winter. One bad decision that’s all it takes.
@@grahamwishart4832 I'm from Cumbria, we have smaller mountains than you so more people underestimating how dangerous they can be, especially the weather changes or the gale hitting you as you get to the top from a calm climb.
It's a beautiful but challenging place and it's dangerous to go there unprepared. They should have taken the advice of the ranger. Tragic but avoidable.
Rock stupid ineptitude. 20 miles in those conditions with that gear? Even with good gear that would've been a poor decision. Multiple wrong decisions. Just dumb luck she survived, but not well.
Yep,NZ weather is so changeable.The rivers also can swell within 10 mins of hard rain that gets caught further up the valley then comes down all at once.My ranger friend told me he's delt with drowning's.Last kid was an Indian boy who never knew how to swim.All you travellers.Get informed.get the right gear and you be fine.🇳🇿🤙
I can't stomach listening to her making excuses for their selfish stupidity, blaming the weather?? Giving advice to other hikers?? Is she for real? She should be charged with endangering the lives of others. That's full blown narcissism on display🤡
I agree with u! These imbeciles have absolutely zero cares in the world about anyone other than themselves. These fools give people who prepare, and stay within their abilities and skills, a bad look...The worst part is, not a shred of accepting responsibility, and owning the mistakes and changing for the better from them!! I get it with the charges u speak of, but I'd say there would have to be intent to cause suffering for that to even remotely be discussed...
@@johnchedsey1306 The route was closed for winter, they were warned not to go. There were warning signs in the carpark at the beginning of the track warning of winter conditions making the track impassable in places and of avalanche risks. They decided not to tell anyone they were going to avoid paying hut fees. When they saw McKenzie hut they decided to take a short cut and left the marked trail. That lead to the fall and death of the guy. They had no emergency shelter (bivvy bag) and inadequate clothing. They did not have personal emergency locator beacons which are recommended for groups going into the mountains by themselves. (Available for $10 a day) They brought his on themselves.
Why would anybody even continue a hike in an unknown region after it begins to snow after the ranger told them literally to forget that hike? And then choosing a "shortcut".... That is ridiculous. Have they never been hiking ANYWHERE before? Hiking paths in the mountains are usually not made unnecessarily long, since the people who built them over time did not like to waste energy.
OMG! I'm a little old lady who checks the weather and the sky before going for a walk around the block. I can't imagine ignoring warnings from park rangers; they're there for a reason.
Whenever traveling in remote wilderness @ 70 years old, I always seek a harmonious balance within the limitations of my physical abilities and gear while maintaining an acute situational awareness. Always be present to your reality.
Did you say that she just stayed with him outside for two more nights after he died? That's amazing dedication, but it's hard to understand why she didn't think about surviving herself so she could come back to claim his body. She must have been incredibly fit.
That's grief and shock. And love. Maybe she lost the will to live for a couple of days and hoped she'd die, too. Then, realizing she wasn't dying, decided to try to live. I can see myself feeling that way if the love of my life died in that way.
How the hell did New Zealand customs and immigration allow them in the country with no funds and attempting to work illegally? NZ is pretty strict about that.
Thousands of young tourists pour into the country with little to no funds,, You really got to keep an eye on everything. They are told everything in NZ is for free.... except us locals end up paying for their holiday
Im from Aotearoa New Zealand and remember this, everyone was very relieved when Pavlina was found alive. We have some extreme conditions in Aotearoa you need to be very careful.
From the Guardian website: "Pižova had food, firewood and gas to stay warm. There was also a mountain radio but Pižova was unable to understand the English instructions for operating it."
@@stuboyd1194 "Mountain radio" here in NZ has two knobs. The on / off knob, and volume... DOC Wardens huts on the other hand, have actual HF radios, preset to DOC frequencies. Literally all she would of needed to do was push the "on" button, then the "push to talk" button on the mic.
@@stuboyd1194 *VERY* possible. People respond to shock in many different ways, with some never recovering. *BUT* this story has never sat right with me. It has the "trapped woman" / life insurance vibe about it.
It was closed. The tragedy is this was completely avoidable. They did not listen. I’m a Kiwi and I’d never think I know better than a ranger or ignore the weather conditions or signage. Condolences.
Wow. I pack and carry more than that when I drive from one end of town to the other I Ohio's winters... I always travel as if I might have to get out of my car and walk in negative temps. The cold is not your friend.
Working on a tourist visa shows their arrogance from the outset: “the rules don’t apply to meee”, not to mention the disrespect to the locals for being dumbasses and causing them to fund the rescue/recovery and risk THEIR lives as well.
Did this trek in the NZ summer of 1975 with my wife. We were not geared up for snowy weather as it was warm. Noseeums were the big threat! It was a beautiful hike. But we found it sad and sobering to come across the memorial to the school kids who perished on the same trek years earlier. Nature is a hard taskmaster! Russ from British Columbia.
You are doing a good service to people, by creating these video. They are a warning and maybe, will save someone who would have otherwise been careless in facing the forces of nature. Folks: be prepared.
The absolute arrogance of ignoring the rangers advice
Really!!!not to mention common sense! Expect the unexpected
You cannot say it was arrogance... it is infact arrogant to believe we know the mind of another.. Whatever reason it was a terrible decision followed by a couple of other bad choices. I know i have made some terrible choices, luckily none have ended in death just yet...
@@paulparadoxia Itss not that deep. Its just basic top drawer arrogance.
@@paulparadoxia - No, you are wrong. It was arrogant not to listen to an EXPERT who lives and works there. It is arrogant to think to oneself, "THAT would NEVER happen to ME!", which is exactly what went through their minds when they ignored sound advice. Clear cut case of arrogance....and it cost one of them their lives and the other lost their partner.
Why can't you NPC's use punctuation?
Hi from New Zealand I remember this case.what wasn't said was the track was closed for winter, there were signs telling people it was closed, they chose to ignore this .The hut was locked for winter and she had to break a window to get into the hut.they chose to break the rules and paid for it. New Zealand has a lot of tourists walking our country a lot are not prepared for our ever changing weather. A lot set out with white shoes and are upset by the time they finish they are dirty.
WOW
Oh no she broke the window to survive what a terrible person, you’ve got to be joking. I’m sure she was more upset with her dirty shoes and not her dead partner, smh.
Hope she paid to repair the window she broke.
@@azovandy14.88You missed the point that they hiked a track that was officially closed and had to break into a cabin that (due to the closed track) was locked. Nobody begrudges the window, but the fact remains they weren't supposed to be on the Routeburn at all.
@@azovandy14.88are seriously this srupid? Nobody is upset about the window.
It was the fact the trail was not open to the public because it was out of season.
Do you understand that?
I am an avid, longtime hiker. When I encounter sketchy trail, weather or wildlife conditions, I turn back. The trail and my intended destitation will be there another time.
Pussie , LOL .
The mistake most people make is thinking that going forward is going to be shorter and easier than the way they came, they take a gamble. The thing is, you managed to get where you are, that way is doable, you know how far and how hard is was. It is a known - the way forward is an unknown, a gamble.
@@nlwilson4892 So true! Many decades ago I was hiking with my husband in the Italian alps. It was a hot September day, we were heavily sweating while climbing up. Suddenly the weather changed and a snowstorm started. We were barely able to see the next step let alone the path markings and decided to return. Walking into the unknown under that circumstances we considered to be too dangerous. We hardly made it back. I suffered from hypothermia and I only wanted to lay down and sleep. My husband had to literally beat me down the path. Added to the frostbites I had a lot of bruises from his beating and kicking me to keep me awake. If we had gone forward, we likely would have died.
Same! I walk alone a lot and if I walk into an area and get a sketchy feeling, this doesn’t happen often, I turn around!
Touche'
03:20 “the ranger advised them against it” 😑 That right there is where they went wrong, from the very start. Rangers should know much more about the terrain than you, so listen to them especially when they tell you not to go.
I would never listen to a ranger, but this guy probably could tell that the two were not capable or prepared for what could be coming. I live daily witnessing "ignorant humanoids" that are lucky to be alive to see another day!
Terrible that they had no emergency contingency plan & solely relied on those shelters
Absolutely
Pure disrespect!
Unfortunately with the 'nanny state' that many governments have become, people don't listen to them any more. It's too easy to dismiss authorities with a "Yeah, yeah" attitude, thinking they are just going overboard and arse covering with their advice. It doesn't help that people are quick to blame the government for any misfortune that befalls them (from tripping over to falling off a cliff), and go down the "I'll sue them for what happened to me" mentality. Not sure which one came first, but the result is people not trusting rules put in place by the government, and governments going overboard with rules to stop people doing stupid things and holding them responsible.
No tears this time....just humble respect for the wilderness. This story is so sad and was so preventable. People often laugh at me when I venture out with lots of supplies. But guess what....as much as I love your channel, I don't want to end up the subject of one of your videos!! LOL!
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it
Well I do the tears part in your place then.
You could still fall or anything.. you're not immune
Yep, totally agree! What I hate is the disrespectful attitude from the hut wardens because of ignorant victims like these! I have been a seasoned hiker in 4 different countries, but because of my diminutive size, I am treated like I haven't a clue! So frustrating!
Supplies won't save you. Being thoughtful just might if nature doesn't crush you first.
“When you freeze to death in the night, the only witness is the wind, which will keep blowing long after you’re gone.”
Profound statement. You’re quite skilled with your words.
My Lord is a witness to everything
@@kat-75 What ??
@@adambane1719 The Lord is a witness to everything. Seems like a very random statement to place here, but it is indeed a true statement. The Holy Spirit has been described like the wind in the Bible.
@@FredPorlock-1892 Uh, fairy tales or fiction should never be quoted as historical fact.
@@adambane1719 You have your opinion.
It shocked me when she admitted, "we made a few mistakes". Talk about minimising! They made every mistake it was possible to make. I wonder whose idea the hike was because she is limiting her responsibility in that statement.
It's that lack of awareness that got them into trouble in the first place. And neither of them possessed common sense.
@KathleenMcNe She had enough common sense to survive, I'll give her that; but, their actual plan was to exploit the resources stored in emergency shelters, knowing they would be unseen because the trail was officially closed.
@@wiffleyShe was lucky
@@wiffley It wasn't an emergency shelter. There are a few emergency shelters in remote parts of NZ, but as far as I am aware they are not stocked with food; they are just a tiny hut to sleep in out of the freezing wind. My understanding of the tragedy is that she broke into the wardens quarters, which was stocked with food and firewood presumably left over from the Summer season. I am a New Zealander and have walked this track, several decades ago. I think that the worst decision they made was to continue when conditions worsened. I realise it's always difficult to make the decision to turn back, but the failure to do that is quite often the cause of these sort of tragedies in NZ. That is the advice given by DOC and other outdoor experts, as the failure to turn back usually results in a tragedy. People from overseas cannot comprehend how rapidly the weather can change in our mountains. This tragedy is the worst example of being unprepared, failing to heed advice and failing to turn back that has ever happened in NZ. The fact that this young lady was rescued after just a few weeks was purely good luck due to the honorary console for the Chezq Republic, living very close to this track, happening to notice on Facebook that the couples family back home were concerned about the lack of contact from this couple in NZ. It would have been a physiologically tough time for Pavlina staying in that hut by herself, day after day, week after week realising that the was no realistic expectation of a search. The aircraft that she heard before the rescue helicopter arrived were not on a search for them or anybody else. Pavlina was rescued on the first day of the search, basically as soon as DOC was advised by the Chech honorary console that the couple were missing. My sympathy goes out to her; since we all make mistakes; so let us all learn from this tragedy. On almost every trip that I do into the mountains in NZ I see people with inadequate footwear, clothing, and equipment. Many of them are foreigners.
Her statement should've just said "we weren't REMOTELY prepared...& were full of too much Hubris to even know how ignorant we were".
I walked the Routeburn a number of years ago at during the New Zealand summer. It’s a fantastic track. Even though it was summer, over the Harris Saddle and at one point the track was frozen. So I’m not surprised the track is brutal in winter.
Unfortunately you can’t save people from their own stupidity!
Reference: the 2024 U.S. Federal election
@@loudowning3393keep crying.
Trump is your daddy
@loudowning3393
😂 soooo much I could say here. But will go with this: Don't be a d*psh*t all your life!
Do you have children/grandchildren to march off to war to be vaporized on a non descript battleground in Ukraine? A battleground that only exists to make us poorer and feed the military industrial complex! Kommie-la nor Joe Biden care how many people are killed, as long as some of those BILLIONS of our tax dollars get kicked back over here for them!!!!
Also, I hope and pray that not you, nor any of your family are harmed by one (or more) of the MILLIONS of criminals that Joe and Kommie-la have let walk right into our country!
I swear!!!
You may want to get yourself checked + drink the purple kool-aid, it's the best!!!
Exactly.
So happy I am smart and watching and learning what NEVER TO DO from the comfort of my bed w my duvet pillow and doggies ..... God rest their souls 😢😮
Yes! From the comfort of my bedroom, as I'm cozy af in my sumptuous bed, under the comfort of my throw...and suffering along with these (lucky?) people. Seriously, my hot coffee is a luxury. My throw is a luxury. My bed, a miracle. My room, a sanctuary. This video, the stuff of nightmares! 😮😢😏💯👍🏽😥
@@miapdx503lucky?!? He died dude
Yep lol
"I am aware we made a few mistakes." That's quite an understatement. It's always sad when people die early. In this case, two people who looked as though they were old enough to understand what they were _told_ (by people who worked in a place designed to help people make good decisions) just ignored the good advice they were given. One look at that area should have been enough to jolt them into behaving sensibly. Sadly, nothing did.
EXACTLY!!!! And what pisses me off most is the fact that they put so many other peoples lives at risk who need to rescue them due to their own ignorance and hubris.
@@charlii_the_angelyes exactly! So ignorant. And very very stupid.
I find it incredible how many mistakes you have to make to die in the wilderness today. If you would ask me how many mistakes they made I would say 'all of them'. Ignore advice of locals, of signs, of weather forecast - check. Insufficient gear and clothing - check. Insufficient experience and physical fitness - check. No navigation and communication equipment that would last in the expected conditions - check. No equipment to protect from hypothermia in case of an accident - check. Taking that 'short cut' - check.
@@mananaVestamost important: not taking their brains with them. After a close call on the first night you do not continue deeper in the unknown wilderness. Hell, even knowing the trail very well once you keep on getting lost and exhausted just call it and admit you are not for this on that day and with that weather conditions. Get back first thing in the morning and stay alive.
"We made a few mistakes"
Ya think?
Funny, I said the same thing while editing this story lol
😅😅😅
Because you could do better?
@@maxmillion7634 it is extremely easy to do better than these two. Step 1: Don't go on a trail that is closed. Step 2: If you for some reason still decide to go, make extremely sure you have all the equipment needed (they had none of it). Step 3: When your plan falls apart on the first night because of the snow, realize there is no point in continuing and turn back. Doing any of these things would have saved them both.
Dont forget the majority of NewZealand Search and Rescue are volunteers , unpaid professionals who freely and unselfishly give their time and expertise in conditions often life threatening for themselves . Where I live I often hear the rescue helicopter overhead in the Nelson region and I always think of the people heading off to another incident and wonder about their families at home nervously waiting .Many of the rescues are tourists who never spare a thought for the larger picture .
I do volunteer search and rescue in Australia- not alpine, though we do have alpine search (ASAR).
While yes, it is a risk when we go out. It is also what we love. While it sounds callous, when I get a message asking for help with a search- I am sad that someone is lost, but also excited to get to use all the training and experience I have to help.
Never ever should anyone hesitate to call for help because they don’t want to burden the rescuers- we love this stuff. We love nothing more than being out there, rain, hail, heatwave- we love the challenge and helping. You are not a burden, you are welcome.
Good recap. Small correction: when she got into the hut and "found food", this is as she had to break into the wardens quarters to find this. These huts are stocked with firewood for every visitor to use, but everyone brings their own food.
She was very lucky there was a DoC wardens hut with a fire & food. The DoC hut next door has nothing except a fireplace
I walked the Routeburn a few decades ago, in midsummer. Heading down, we sat on a bench where we could see the final hut down below. On it is a plaque remembering people who had died there in a blizzard a few years before , almost exactly on the date we were there. In midsummer.
Advice not taken, can turn into money spent on recovery.
Thank you OD for another great one...
If you're lucky...
For feck's sake
They had several warnings
Plus, when you go up a mountain you go prepared.
As a New Zealander, we get bush craft and mountain safety lessons from an early age. Never, ever, underestimate the outdoors and especially the mountains.
They were in view of the hut, and decided to take a "short cut" which took them miles off course and meantime the weather was getting much worse so they could fine their way back on course..... One decision different, and it's most likely the guy would still be alive today....
absolutely.. that choice right there...
I had the same thought, and then I wondered if they had made it safely to that hut, would they have waited there for help?
As soon as I heard short cut I knew this was not going to end well
@@craigbaxter4595the title of the video didn’t foreshadow anything for you?
@@EvelynSaungikar 👍
Every year people from overseas over-estimate their own abilities and under-estimate just how treacherous conditions can be in the New Zealand alpine environment.
It can be a beautiful sunny day and literally an hour later a blinding snow storm. There's a saying in New Zealand about "experiencing four seasons in one day". Our weather really can change that fast.
As said in the video, they did so many things wrong. It's incredible that Pavlina survived at all. RIP to her partner.
00
Another great story. She was lucky there was a cabin stocked with supplies! I can't believe people head out into the wilds so ill prepared. Being prepared is part of the fun of any adventure. Getting your gear together and being prepared during the week before add to the fun and excitement of adventuring. Thanks for all your great videos.
New Subscriber!
Agree, Trouble is tourists often think NZ has well maintained easy tracks and don't realise how tough it can be. Years ago my sister and I were on the Mt Somers walkway, a 2 or 3 day tramp, we got to the hut one night when a Spanish couple came in looking exhausted and just carrying a plastic shopping bag with a few supplies in , she was 7 months pregnant, they'd assumed because it was called a walkway it was just a quick easy hike. We gave them food and followed them out the next day to make sure they got out ok. They were very grateful , it could have ended badly if the weather had closed in.
Right on, Brotha!
Getting everything prepared absolutely is part of the adventure. I absolutely loved the process few days before a multi day deep sea fishing trip.
@@silverdale3207 A plastic shopping bag for a hike is crazy omg
Some people don't want to spend the extra money on expensive hiking jackets or snowshoes they will wear once, when they have fitness wear. If they're on holiday visas picking fruit to earn money, spending several hundred dollars on gear for one-time use is probably out of reach. Also, some people think it will be too heavy to carry.
As a NZer, please, PLEASE either hire or buy a Personal Locater Beacon - they are found at many outdoor stores and can be the difference between life or death.
I would have thought DOC would have had something at the hut for emergency situations to be able to get in contact with authorities. Not a hiker so can't say I have ever stayed in one of their huts
@@paulak7963 There is a radio in the warden's hut, the one she broke into, but she couldn't figure out how it worked. Google their names and you'll find the newspaper reports and the police report. They didn't tell anyone they were going because they planned on exploiting the emergency supplies in the huts and not having to pay hut fees.
@@JohnSmith-pl2bk Thanks for that, that make sense
And never head out with at least taking an emergency bivvy. Insanity.
@@paulak7963DoC doesn't have the funding to equip every hut they manage with the sort of gear that hikers should carry themselves... indeed huts all over the country are at risk of being removed due to funding issues
Pavlina is an extraordinary person to have survived the odds. She is mentally and physically tough, very tough and I hope she will draw strength from that. I wish her well in the future.
Listen to rangers at the visitor centers or trail head they know far more better than you will ever know it.
I went to Zion in middle of July one year & tracked the weather for 10 days before at it stayed at 91-95 deg estimated with 5-10% chances of rain. When I went to get the permit at visitor center the ranger gave me stern warning about keep an eye out on the dark clouds, if you see them turn around & get out or you will die. I was like this is a lil dramatic to be hearing at 7:30am but noted but was thinkin there’s no way it’s guna rain it’s hot af today. My friends & I made about 3/4 of the way to the final spot where the actual tunnels are at but we saw dark clouds far off in distance so we called it & turned around. About 1 hr after we left the trail an insane flash flood thunderstorm rolled in. It was still like 80 deg out but just dumping rain. Still to this day I think that ranger really saved me & my friends life. Without that warning we would been in a world of shit on the way out of the hike.
That’s an awesome story, I really enjoyed reading it and I’m sure glad you took the ranger’s advice! That’s crazy though, for real.
Wow, thank you for sharing. Unfortunately, the 7 that died a few years back didn't have the same fortune.
No, you saved your own lives by listening to someone who knew what they were talking about. Good job!
You need to know how the weather works and what you doing .. what terrain is like...
'Dare to turn back' is one of the most important lessons that was installed in me during an orientation and mountain routine course in the Lake District, UK.
I live in the South Island of New Zealand these days and it's still one of the mottos I think of regularly when going out into the wild. The local 'she'll be right' is not a mantra most kiwis would dream of using when it comes to their wild backyard.
“Dare to turn back” indeed. As an amateur mountaineer, this is one of the first things I taught my son when he started hiking with me in the Alps.
She seems like a good person who made horrible, tragic decisions. Her grace after her ordeal is nice to see. I'm sure to this day she is still dealing with the trauma of what happened. The key takeaways: research & prepare. And listen to the rangers. They're not trying to ruin a fun time. They're trying to save you from yourself!
funny how everyone involved in a tragedy seems to be a "good person", especially if they pass away
Well said John!
@@levitatingoctahedron922 you don't know any of these people, please
@@oyayemayafaro7307neither do you 😅
@oyayemayafaro7307 neither do you
I'm a Kiwi and this is not an unusual story; so many folks grossly underestimate our countryside. We don't have bears or snakes or large cats but the weather can and will mess you up. Or just the environment in general like this.
That cabin saved her life. Glad she was rescued, but it's sad. RIP to Ondrej. I hope Pavlina is in a better place now.
He was a weak "Snowflake!" His job was a snowboard instructor? Give me a break! She probably never had a real job to teach her how to think and be accountable! City people should just stay in the city where they are in their "elements." The female was more resilient to the outdoor elements than this Wimp!
This story is a perfect example of: Prepare and pack properly BEFORE hiking.
Do not hike in the New Zealand Alps in winter. Only expert deer and pig hunters would have the knowledge to do so, very few of them would.
Why before?
@@honkytonk4465 because it is too late if you are ill prepared for the weather. It was hypothermia that killed the male . They were not wearing the proper clothing and they hiked in a trail that was closed for the winter season . They had no emergency locators.
The amount of hikers with zero skills and no common sense is stunning.
And even so, almost all of them survive. It takes an incredible amount of mistakes plus some bad luck to get yourself killed like this guy did.
People underestimate the power of nature but like most people especially in their youth, they think they can tackle anything at a given moment. Nature will always have the last say.
The Ranger warned them not to go because the weather was going to get worse~
People look at New Zealand mountains and think they can't be as tough as European mountain conditions. Dude, snow is snow, rocks are rocks, rain is rain. These things can kill you at your local playground let alone up in a mountain. Props to her though for being such a fighter.
The most shocking thing is how they somehow survived in life up to the point where they took the hike.
Good point!
lol 😂
What everybody needs to know and understand. Is that when you do something against somebody’s advice you’re on your own.
Being an Aussie, I'll never understand why anybody goes wandering off into the bush in Winter. I watch these vids fascinated by the climates and the adventures while being dumbfounded by anybody doing any bushwalking in Winter anywhere ever. Seems to be a European thing... To me this explains why this poor couple met nobody on this adventure - nobody but the most experienced local would attempt it.
Winter mountaineering is pretty common. But it is not something to be attempted without a good deal of experience, and of course the proper gear. Add to that the need for sound judgement.
I've done a lot of hiking in winter in Switzerland but you need a lot of gear, more than summer, sometimes ropes, crampons, etc..
The trail was even closed it was so bad. She had to break into the cabin since it was closed. You need real skill, experience and preparation to do a safe winter bushwalk.
You need to be a good cross country skier, you need gps with enough juice to last, you need winter bivouac equipment - and lots of experience, knowledge of local conditions and physical fitness. Ropes, climbing gear, crampons, ice axes and enough people with experience to operate the ropes if you have to navigate inclines. Then it's kinda fun 😉
I used to backpack in hip deep snow, when even the roads to the trailhead were closed.
But I had all the right gear and equipment, and knew what I was doing.
Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.....this disaster was totally preventable.
I don't know how it's possible, but each video you do is even better than the last! ❤ thank you for serving your purpose in life, it is enjoyable to watch!
Thank you so much for your kind words, it means a lot!
I gotta say, she was a trooper to fight through those conditions and survive.
Indeed.
It is a story of survival. She wanted to live, that's why survived. I know that her ordeal was self-inflicted but i don't care. What matters is that she survived.
There's no mobile phone coverage there. I was thinking to add flares or rockets to my kit in case of hiking in such places.
A handheld GPS is a must imho. My Garmin has a low battery consumption mode which i like a lot.
No choice!
Trouper not trooper.
Signed,
Grammar nazi
When you are far from civilization, and electric power, the basics then apply. Food, shelter, water. You cant get that from nature unless you know what you're doing. We are so far removed from it, we are unable to survive. Dont underestimate the great outdoors. All it takes is a fall or an infection, and you are in serious trouble in an instant.
Haven't watched yet, but I know this will be a tough one. Learning about folks who ignore sign after sign just breaks my heart. So often in your stories the people break a rule or two and I feel bad for the situations they found themselves in. But others the subjects break rule after rule after rule and it just hurts the good decision maker in me.
Thank you for helping me, and others, to make better decisions. I think of you and the lessons you offer often, my friend. You are a great teacher. And I appreciate the care you have for us, to warn us all of the possible dangers of the outdoors.
I definitely feel the same. Thank you.
I swear your voice and the background music is an ingenious formula for wilderness stories.
I appreciate it! Your comment brings me back to when I was searching for the right music for these stories. I searched for days and almost settled just get it over with. But then I heard "Omega" by Scott Buckley. I knew it was it within the first 30 seconds this was it.
@outdoordisasters I agree with @lusomarga and would add your descriptions are visual and emotional.
@@lisaperry5999 Spot on Lisa. That's what I aim for. Some of these stories can be an emotional rollcoaster. But that means it will resonate with if it does to me. Thank you my friend!
@@outdoordisasters yr most welcome JR
Inexperience and ignorance will kill you.
So thankful to be watching this from my warm bed and covers. After watching all these videos I never go anywhere without letting my family know I'm going to Food Lion but I go with supplies. Water, flash light and blanket in my trunk. I can't people listen when they are told it's dangerous 😢
@GeorgiaEddins-dg9ml
- good advice! Even if you’re driving a short distance anything can happen. A breakdown, an accident, unexpected weather. My father, R.I.P., taught me how to keep my car stocked for emergencies - bag of litter for traction, a shovel, a board, tire chains, jumper cables, road flares, blankets, water, candy bars 🙏🏾 Thanks, Pop!
I'm always happy to share these stories to hopefully help people avoid making the same mistakes.
She did not take or admit her responsibility in what killed her partner and almost killed her: "We made a few mistakes". What arrogance. And it was this same arrogance that made them think they could accomplish what the experts had a hard time doing.
The trail was CLOSED. Saying it was a few mistakes is insane, they were arrogant beyond belief. I hate being so harsh but there’s no sense of a lesson learned or sense of responsibility.
@@RightsForZombiesShe was crying when she was saying those words. And apologized and thanked rescuers.
There was lesson learned and she felt responsible.
@ I meant in regards to that statement specifically. You can cry out of gratitude for being alive and sadness for your loss while still being unable to quite accept you were completely responsible for those things. They went on a closed trail, in winter, without gear, against the warnings of authorities. That’s not a few small mistakes.
I know I’m being harsh but I’m not convinced she - at the time - truly understood they were 100% culpable and did far worse than make mistakes. It’s downplaying the actions that got her boyfriend killed and if they weren’t arrogant he’d be alive. I think a little more reflection was necessary but hopefully over time she’s come to realise that without being too hard on herself. She did certainly overcome a lot and should be proud that she helped save herself.
@@RightsForZombies You can't assume from her public statements what she truly feels. They are just that: public statements - and made in the immediate aftermath, at that. What she feels internally may be something entirely different. I'm sure they knew, in real time, every mistake that they made as the consequences of those mistakes happened to them; they knew better than you do. At the end of the day, she experienced a trauma, whether her fault or not. It can't be easy to publicly admit that you and your deceased boyfriend, whom you are still grieving, are at fault for that traumatic experience - even if you know you are. Not only is it likely to evoke extreme feelings of guilt - but also embarrassment. She is an ordinary citizen - not a politician speaking on a scandal who has a responsibility to be frank and open.
There's no reason to pick at the statement. She admitted mistakes, showed extreme gratitude for the rescuers, and acknowledged putting them in danger to rescue her. She doesn't need to denigrate herself. Again, she's not a politician. The experience itself taught them in real time what mistakes they made, regardless of what words she uses after the fact to describe them.
@ That’s fair, it’s only my opinion.
Oh, my goodness! Just, crazy. No judgement, here. I am, grounded in humility and heartbreak. 💔
I was a park ranger in one of the Parks in Arizona and gave hiking tours 5 days a week, it was amazing how many day hikers would not bring enough water, food, socks, etc and need help. They never wanted to listen to the rangers, ever.
Yep we have that problem here, just because it is summer and sheep creek trail is only 3 miles. does not meen you cannot and will not get stuck in a snowstorm or some other emergency.
Your words blow through me like alpine winter winds through wet summer clothes, causing my mental state to precipitate towards depression like the snow rushes to the valley during an avalanche
Hahaha!! Nailed it - both flowery language and flat delivery. 🤣
Watching this episode provided a fairly extensive checklist of how NOT to approach a hiking adventure. Ignore knowledgeable advice against going. Fail to inform anyone of your plans. Bring inadequate equipment and supplies. Press on when things turn badly. Seeking 'shortcuts'. The only wise decision made was Pižova's decision to stay put once she made it to the hut. Life lessons learned through hardship mean nothing if you don't live to benefit from the knowledge.
Wilderness is unrelenting. Be prepared or pay the price.
Not the sharpest tools in the shed.
Not the sharpest crampons on the rack
@@MsAdventure531 😂😂
Good morning JR,
It's so heartbreaking to hear that Andre passed away while him and Pavlina tried to get to McKenzie hut. I can't imagine what was going through their minds during their nightmare ordeal on Mt. Aspiring, first Andre getting Hypothermia then they take a horrible fall down the mountain where he ends up passing away. I'm relieved that Pavlina made it to McKenzie hut and was finally rescued. My heart goes out to her as well as to Andre's family. May Andre rest in peace 🙏🕊️. I hope you're doing okay, I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers daily, may the Lord be near to comfort you and surround you in His love and peace that surpasses all understanding. I'm here for you.🤗🤗🤗
Thank you so much for your prayers Timber.
@@outdoordisasters you're welcome JR
So glad to see new vids come up - I hope your spirits have lifted some, and today is a good day.
Each day feels a little better. Thank you for your kind words.
Arrogance and ignorance, plain and simple. 😓
They underestimated the conditions, like many in your videos. Amazing story,and glad she survived!
I take part in long distance cycling events, and we all have a spot tracking device so the organisers/friends/Family can track us, and we can call an emergency number if we need to.
They were told NOT TO GO. Brought it on themselves. Arrogance.
Good evening J.R. I'm anxious to see this! Thank you so much as always!! Have a good weekend!! 🌺💖
I assure you Mary, I know you can handle this one. Thank you my friend!
@outdoordisasters 😊 You're very welcome!!
Hope you are doing well and taking your days one moment at a time. Thanks for the video, as always it offers the comfort of respectful perspective. We all appreciate you 🙏
You are too kind my friend. 🙏
A few mistakes,a very very STUPID mistake costing her boyfriends life
Your narration is getting stronger with every video. And I hope your warnings at the end are heeded.
I LOVE this channel!! (I love the narrators voice) Congrats on 100k 🎉
Thank you kindly!
I’m so sorry, but…..
“Inconvenience” is not
nearly the correct word
of remorse. RIP to this
silly, inexperienced climber
And MAJOR KUDOS to the
rescue units who RISKED
THEIR LIVES 💔😔💔
The irritation in the narrators voice in the intro at even having to cover this stupidity is everything and I'm here for it 😂😂😂
I knew this would be in my country.. because very few respect our 'small mountains', especially tourists!!
2000% confident
Climbing the glaciers in jandals.
There is a mountain in New Hampshire that is considered small. But is considered the deadliest small mountain in the world. Mount Washington. Never underestimate any mountain in the winter. One bad decision that’s all it takes.
Even more so in Scotland... absolutely tiny mountains but real killers. The Cairngorm plateau in winter conditions can kill anyone...even prepared
@@grahamwishart4832 I'm from Cumbria, we have smaller mountains than you so more people underestimating how dangerous they can be, especially the weather changes or the gale hitting you as you get to the top from a calm climb.
This isn't ignorance. This is arrogance and natural selection.
It's a beautiful but challenging place and it's dangerous to go there unprepared. They should have taken the advice of the ranger. Tragic but avoidable.
Rock stupid ineptitude. 20 miles in those conditions with that gear? Even with good gear that would've been a poor decision.
Multiple wrong decisions. Just dumb luck she survived, but not well.
Yep,NZ weather is so changeable.The rivers also can swell within 10 mins of hard rain that gets caught further up the valley then comes down all at once.My ranger friend told me he's delt with drowning's.Last kid was an Indian boy who never knew how to swim.All you travellers.Get informed.get the right gear and you be fine.🇳🇿🤙
Thanks for the continuous up load schedule, awesome to have a dependable channel that gives great content
You are most welcome! Thank you for your kind words.
I can't stomach listening to her making excuses for their selfish stupidity, blaming the weather?? Giving advice to other hikers?? Is she for real? She should be charged with endangering the lives of others. That's full blown narcissism on display🤡
No, it's not. You clearly want to continue punishing her for an already terrible ordeal. It's super easy to be an armchair expert but also sad.
We all make stupid mistakes.
Allow her to make amends the best she can.
I agree with u! These imbeciles have absolutely zero cares in the world about anyone other than themselves. These fools give people who prepare, and stay within their abilities and skills, a bad look...The worst part is, not a shred of accepting responsibility, and owning the mistakes and changing for the better from them!! I get it with the charges u speak of, but I'd say there would have to be intent to cause suffering for that to even remotely be discussed...
@@johnchedsey1306 The route was closed for winter, they were warned not to go. There were warning signs in the carpark at the beginning of the track warning of winter conditions making the track impassable in places and of avalanche risks. They decided not to tell anyone they were going to avoid paying hut fees. When they saw McKenzie hut they decided to take a short cut and left the marked trail. That lead to the fall and death of the guy. They had no emergency shelter (bivvy bag) and inadequate clothing. They did not have personal emergency locator beacons which are recommended for groups going into the mountains by themselves. (Available for $10 a day) They brought his on themselves.
Why would anybody even continue a hike in an unknown region after it begins to snow after the ranger told them literally to forget that hike? And then choosing a "shortcut".... That is ridiculous. Have they never been hiking ANYWHERE before? Hiking paths in the mountains are usually not made unnecessarily long, since the people who built them over time did not like to waste energy.
OMG! I'm a little old lady who checks the weather and the sky before going for a walk around the block. I can't imagine ignoring warnings from park rangers; they're there for a reason.
Whenever traveling in remote wilderness @ 70 years old, I always seek a harmonious balance within the limitations of my physical abilities and gear while maintaining an acute situational awareness. Always be present to your reality.
I live in Berne, Switzerland nearly of the mountains and l N E V E R
e v e r go to places like this. I stay in the city.........
Oh I'm sure it is very beautiful there and there are safe ways to explore.
Grats to 100k! 🎉
👏👏❤️❤️
Did you say that she just stayed with him outside for two more nights after he died? That's amazing dedication, but it's hard to understand why she didn't think about surviving herself so she could come back to claim his body. She must have been incredibly fit.
If that's true; that was Foolish!
That's grief and shock. And love. Maybe she lost the will to live for a couple of days and hoped she'd die, too.
Then, realizing she wasn't dying, decided to try to live.
I can see myself feeling that way if the love of my life died in that way.
How the hell did New Zealand customs and immigration allow them in the country with no funds and attempting to work illegally? NZ is pretty strict about that.
Thousands of young tourists pour into the country with little to no funds,, You really got to keep an eye on everything. They are told everything in NZ is for free.... except us locals end up paying for their holiday
I was wondering about all the references about alps and alpine. Son of a gun according to wiki, the Southern Alps are in New Zealand.
Im from Aotearoa New Zealand and remember this, everyone was very relieved when Pavlina was found alive. We have some extreme conditions in Aotearoa you need to be very careful.
I remember this case. The strange thing is, she spent close to a month in the Wardens hut. The Wardens hut has HF radio...
From the Guardian website:
"Pižova had food, firewood and gas to stay warm. There was also a mountain radio but Pižova was unable to understand the English instructions for operating it."
@@stuboyd1194 "Mountain radio" here in NZ has two knobs.
The on / off knob, and volume...
DOC Wardens huts on the other hand, have actual HF radios, preset to DOC frequencies.
Literally all she would of needed to do was push the "on" button, then the "push to talk" button on the mic.
@@oggaBugga It does seem weird eh? I guess her thinking was compromised after what she'd been through.
@@stuboyd1194 *VERY* possible. People respond to shock in many different ways, with some never recovering.
*BUT* this story has never sat right with me. It has the "trapped woman" / life insurance vibe about it.
@@oggaBugga Not quite that simple, you often have to rig a dipole aerial that's stored away inside.
"my apologies for *any* inconvenience".
How about, "my apologies for all THE inconvenience".
Incredible story well told. Thank you!
Thanks for another great Q&A session
The mountain never lies, nor the desert, sea, or jungle.
Great advice at the end, heed that warning. The best advice I have ever heard on youtube.
It was closed. The tragedy is this was completely avoidable. They did not listen. I’m a Kiwi and I’d never think I know better than a ranger or ignore the weather conditions or signage. Condolences.
Love these!!!!
why didnt they just go for a walk to the local shops?
Poor decisions before they left. Poor decisions during their tramp. What is wrong with people?
Some people are virtually devoid of common sense.
Geez…they should have a movie about this. I’m glad she survived and this video of full of lovely statements.
Well, if you dont listen......
Sad story but stunning visuals and calm music and narration.
Wow. I pack and carry more than that when I drive from one end of town to the other I Ohio's winters... I always travel as if I might have to get out of my car and walk in negative temps. The cold is not your friend.
She must be watched from above, blessings n take care all ways in always !!
When the locals tell you, Hey, that's not a good idea
Working on a tourist visa shows their arrogance from the outset: “the rules don’t apply to meee”, not to mention the disrespect to the locals for being dumbasses and causing them to fund the rescue/recovery and risk THEIR lives as well.
Did this trek in the NZ summer of 1975 with my wife. We were not geared up for snowy weather as it was warm. Noseeums were the big threat! It was a beautiful hike. But we found it sad and sobering to come across the memorial to the school kids who perished on the same trek years earlier.
Nature is a hard taskmaster! Russ from British Columbia.
You are doing a good service to people, by creating these video. They are a warning and maybe, will save someone who would have otherwise been careless in facing the forces of nature. Folks: be prepared.
I hope so. These are all cautionary tales we have to learn from, especially us who venture outdoors. Thanks for watching!