Five climbers were injured, one critically, after a group got into trouble on Taranaki Maunga and needed rescue in a "significant search and rescue operation."

Acting Sergeant David Bentley said a search and rescue operation was stood up, with assistance from RCCNZ, LandSAR, Alpine Cliff Rescue and Civil Defence, and a number of helicopter companies.

Bentley said the group were lucky to be alive. "We were in and out very quickly and, had it not been for that break in the weather, there was a very good chance we would have been dealing with fatalities."

Also in this week’s The World Outdoors Southland gears up for the MAGNIficent adventure race this weekend, DOC Community Fund to provide $9.2 million for community-led conservation, and more!

Missed yesterday’s feature? We looked at what was in filmmaker Mitchell Radford’s pack for a 16-day solo Fiordland adventure.

Take a look at this week's most read articles at wildernessmag.co.nz.

The seven-bunk Jolliebrook Hut makes a leisurely excursion into the hill country near Lake Sumner. Perfect for a social tramp or a leg-stretcher.

Jolliebrook Hut was built in 1972 by the NZFS. It has two bunkrooms separated by a large kitchen. Thanks to 144 hours of work done by the Backcountry Trust in 2022, it is in excellent condition.

The hut is situated in a large clearing with good camping spots.

We featured Jolliebrook Hut as one of our 25 huts to visit in 2025.

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