The coroner's report into the death of an American tourist in the Mount Aspiring National Park says the woman went ahead with the hike despite Department of Conservation advice to delay it.
Mount Aspiring Photo: RNZ / Steve Wilde
Nicole Leman, who was 24, of Anchorage, Alaska, died in December 2015 when she fell down a slope while hiking over Rabbit Pass in Mount Aspiring National park, near Wanaka.
Ms Leman was an experienced hiker, and had spent some time in New Zealand travelling and hiking.
Ms Leman was hiking with a friend, Bernhard Mueller, over the steepest part of the pass, when her feet slipped and she fell down a bank feet first, ultimately falling around 200 metres.
Mr Meuller told the coroner that Ms Leman was walking ahead of him, and had paused briefly and turned as if to say something to him. She was standing still when she lost her footing on the grass, fell onto her stomach and slipped down the bank.
She suffered multiple injuries including serious head injuries and died at the scene despite attempts to resuscitate her.
Prior to the hike, Mr Meuller said he and Ms Leman had spoken to staff at the Department of Conservation office in Wanaka about the hike. They had been advised that it was too early in the season to hike through Rabbit Pass, and that there might be snow present, which would make it difficult to get through.
They were told that the weather later in the week, or the next week, should be better.
Mr Meuller said they were advised not to do the trip, and while they had considered that advice, they decided to go ahead with their plans.
Nicole Leman Photo: SUPPLIED
A report for the coroner by the Mountain Safety Council said that despite their decision to ignore the DOC advice, Ms Leman and Meuller had been somewhat cautious in their approach.
The report said the pair had done research, were well prepared and capable, and went with the view of assessing the conditions, not with a "we must go attitude".
The MSC report said that falls in terrain like Rabbit Pass could be caused by the most basic things, such as a simple missed foot placement, a slight imbalance, especially with a large and heavy pack or unexpected movement of the terrain underneath, and that once balance is lost, there is virtually nothing anyone can do to correct the situation.
The Coroner Anna Tutton said it would be prudent for people to follow the advice of DOC staff and others who have experience with the terrain.
She also said she would encourage all trampers to follow the guidance from the Mountain Safety Council to ensure their competency matches the trip, and delay the trip if you need to up-skill.
She said the MSC also advised people to have a range of strategies to identify high-risk areas, where serious harm or fatality is possible.
