Czech woman describes 'harrowing' month in New Zealand wilderness

Wellington, Aug 26: A Czech woman rescued after she went missing in the New Zealand wilderness gave details of her ordeal on Friday (Aug 26).

Pavlina Pizova issued a statement on her "harrowing" month in an unoccupied Department of Conservation warden's hut after she lost her 27-year-old partner, Ondrej Petr whose body was found near the mountainous 32-km Routeburn Track in the South Island, Xinhua news agency reported.

"After his death, it took me another two nights out in the open before I reached the safety of the hut," Pizova said.

"The recent heavy snows meant I was walking through waist-deep snow and because all track markers were covered, I had to find my own way," she said.

Pizova admitted she and her partner had "made a few mistakes" before setting out in the wilderness, like not carrying a locator beacon and underestimating the winter conditions.

"I would like to use this opportunity to pass a strong message on to anyone intending to travel in the New Zealand mountains to seek very good information and mainly respect the winter conditions and changing weather," said Pizova.

The two Czech tourists had set out to hike the Routeburn Track on July 24.

She was discovered by searchers in a helicopter on Wednesday (Aug 24).

IANS