How we used our PLB on a Silver Duke of Edinburgh Trip

On Saturday 14 May 22 students aged between 15-16 years old and three teachers decided to undertake a tramp in Auckland’s (New Zealand) Waitakere Ranges in order to practice their skills for the silver Duke of Edinburgh award, the weather was fine and cool. Everyone woke up at 7.00am at the McCreddies Paddock campground after arriving there from school the night before and left at 8.15am to start the day’s walk.

They went up Mount Zion Track, Buck Taylor Track to Pararaha Valley campsite where they had lunch at 12.00pm.

At 12.30pm given the time of day and weather conditions, the teachers decided that the party was capable of tramping the optional extension to Whatipu, then back along the beach to McCreddies Paddock campground. The route taken was through the Muir Track (identified as a track for experienced trampers) and on to the Gibbons Track.

At 2.30pm they made it to the Caves Campsite near Whatipu. Unsure that they would make it back by dark they decided that they would follow a smaller track parallel to the beach instead of backtracking along the main track to the entrance of Whatipu beach.

Approximately 2 hours into this smaller track it started to get swampy. At this stage all students were fine. In the end the swampy areas got deeper and were causing concern.

The group gathered together at this stage on a high point and discussed their options. They decided to find shelter for the night. There was concern over the well being of one of the students at this point.

At around 6.30pm, 111 was first called due to the condition of this student. The emergency locator beacon was set upon advice from the emergency services.

At the same time, 30 metres away from the cliff, staff and students found a cave. All members of the party changed into dry clothes and got into their sleeping bags. Students started to make food and hot drinks.

At 7.00pm concern was raised over the well being of a second student. A teacher rang 111 again to update the emergency services. The helicopter came and winched out the two students concerned at 9.00pm. Supervised by emergency staff the remainder of the party was walked out to Kare Kare beach. Then four wheel drives took groups back to Kare Kare Surf Club at approximately 11.00pm.

The students spoke highly of how the situation was handled by the staff involved and all are keen to go on future trips. The police commented on the high spirits of the group at the surf club and they had a comfortable night’s sleep.