Cellphone coverage warning for trampers

Trampers and mountain bikers are being warned not to rely on mobile phones when they are out in the hills.

The alarm was raised on Saturday night after a mountain biker failed to return from a ride in the Waiotauru Valley, south of Otaki forks.

Sergeant Noel Bigwood said a search was postponed until mid-morning yesterday, but the man walked out around 9am yesterday morning.

He said the man had relied on an old map and with two punctures and damaged gears he could not complete his ride in daylight.

The man was carrying two cellular phones but did not realise they do not work in 90-per cent of the Tararuas because of poor signal coverage, Mr Bigwood said.

- NEWSTALK ZB