Stranded in sub-zero temperatures

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Stranded in sub-zero temperatures

3News NZ

Readers in the South Island will know the weather over much of past week was brutal.

Erica Klintworth and Alec Brown, two 21-year-olds from Wisconsin who have been studying at Canterbury University, were out in it.

There was snow, sleet and temperatures below zero while they were trapped on the wrong side of a raging river near Arthur's Pass.

They had gone in for a couple of days, but when the weather hit, they were stranded there for a week.

Yes, they do know they were silly.

They received a ticking off from the West Coast Search and Rescue boss.

But they did one thing right – they stayed put, at a part of the river where there was a natural hot spring.

It was a river they began to worry would never go down.

Watch the video for their tale of survival.

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Comments

13/06/2012 2:36:48 p.m.

AJ wrote:

I think this young couple showed a degree of patience and resourcefulness that you wouldn't normally see in such a yound couple. By staying in the one place they avoided getting lost. By keeping warm in the hot pools and rationing their food, they increased their chances of survival. My hat goes off to this young couple who would have made Bear Grylls proud - maybe even prouder had they lived off some of the local insects and wildlife...

12/06/2012 11:30:06 a.m.

Gregor wrote:

I feel for both sides of the argument. There is insufficient research to suggest that celltower emissions are not damaging to humans. Plus the towers are ugly as! But who's the first to complain when they're in an emergency situation and cellphone coverage is shockingly poor?

12/06/2012 10:11:23 a.m.

Woody@drywallzone.com wrote:

Great job both of them for using your heads glad you are fine and good luck

12/06/2012 10:01:19 a.m.

Gerry M wrote:

Arrogant, overconfident idiots. Send them the bill along with the stories of others who weren't so lucky.

12/06/2012 8:45:10 a.m.

Peter Ridsdale wrote:

I am not sure if you are aware that the old method of reporting your intentions whilst in the bush has changed. The Department of Conservation no longer is responsible for following up on the intent of tramper / hunters whilst in the bush. This responsibility now lies with the NZ Mountain Safety Council. Trampers and Hunters are now required to report their intent while in the bush to family members whose role is to notify authorities if individuals fail to come out on time. The intent form can be found online. I am aware of circumstances whereby trampers have reported Holiday Camps of being their " NZ Family" without those camps being notified nor wanting the responsibility of being a point of contact for guests heading bush. While I have a personal opinion that the system is flawed in that it is dependant on the recipient opening the intent form it is important that the recipient may not be living in NZ but be from anywhere in the world. My biggest concern is that the new online version has been poorly advertised and that until a major advertising campaign is undertaken the general public would be unaware of this important change. This could very much put those heading into the bush at risk especially those from overseas who may see online registration as too hard.