Summer sees the comeback of acclaimed Tramping Safety Video series
The Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has released seven new walk-through style videos, aiming to prepare participants for popular tracks across Aotearoa. These videos, available on the MSC's YouTube Channel, the Plan My Walk app, and coming soon to the DOC and MetService websites, among others, are primarily safety-focused and aim to ensure a safer experience for walkers and trampers.
The new videos, which required 22 days of on-location filming, covering approximately 250km, were produced by MSC in various backcountry locations across the country. MSC collaborated closely with partners including the Department of Conservation (DOC), NZ Police, local LandSAR Search and Rescue volunteers, MetService, the NZ Outdoor Instructors Association, and other local track groups and organizations.
Each video highlights common risks and hazards, key decision-making points, walking times, essential clothing and gear items, important weather factors, and track-specific advice. The selection of these seven tracks was based on careful MSC analysis of safety data.
The independent research showed that walkers and trampers who watch the videos before they set off are safer. In fact, 95% of those who watched the videos learned something new, with 82% saying their knowledge of hazards along the track had improved. Moreover, 85% said their overall understanding of the track had increased, and 76% of people who watched the video said they would make changes to their plans because of it, with 90% of those people actually doing so.
The huge success of the first 12 videos, released in 2018, made the decision to develop seven new ones straightforward. As MSC Chief Executive stated, "The videos have proven to be an effective tool in promoting safety and reducing preventable incidents on our tracks."
The first 12 videos and the associated impact research won the 'Insights Communication' award at the 2021 Research Associations Effectiveness Awards. The new videos feature the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail Pinnacles Walk (Coromandel), Tararua Southern Crossing (Wellington/Wairarapa), Alpine Route and Red Hills (Tasman/Marlborough), Mt Somers Tracks (Canterbury), Copland Valley (Westland), Gillespie Pass, and the Rees-Dart Circuit (Otago).
These new videos add to an already established collection of safety-focused resources designed to help New Zealanders enjoy the great outdoors while staying safe. Whether you're an experienced tramper or a beginner, these videos are a valuable resource for anyone planning a trip on one of these popular tracks. So, before you set off on your next adventure, make sure to check out the new walk-through style videos from MSC. Your safety could depend on it.
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