"We were on the end of a rope flying through the air. I was taking photos and really enjoyed it. The guy told me most people scream, cry or pass out."
After a scenic 13-minute flight they had landed at a hut and Mrs Lang was put on a stretcher, placed in the chopper and flown to Queenstown Hospital where she spent three days.
At home at the Northland beachside settlement of Oakura yesterday, after an operation and another week in Whangarei Hospital, Mrs Lang was grateful the group of trampers, aged between 64 and 67 from the Whangarei and Whangaruru Tramping Clubs, had chosen to take the safety beacon.
It was the first time they had done so.
"The girls had to read the instructions to work out how to use it.
"The light was flashing but there was no other indication it was working," Mrs Lang said.
With no cellphone coverage they hoped their emergency call was registering with officials in Wellington.
Fellow tramper and friend Raewin Woodhouse said the nearest hut that would have had some one to raise the alarm was an eight-hour walk away.
But having the beacon ensured they had help fast.
"It makes you realise how vulnerable you are when something like this happens. It just happened so quickly.
"They are worth the money and they save lives."
The five other women continued on the track while their friend was in hospital.
Mrs Lang has had plates put in her ankle and is not able to put weight on her right leg for another six weeks.
She has set up camp in the ground floor of her home and husband Terry is chief nurse.
Mrs Lang thinks it will be a year before she can put her tramping boots back on but she is keen to complete the Hollyford Track.
