Weather alert for trampers

Police say central North Island trampers could die if they continue to set out unprepared and in the face of severe weather warnings.

Yesterday morning, Turangi police turned back a young Canadian tourist who, despite a forecast of hail and snow, was setting out for a four-day trek in Kaimanawa Forest Park.

Senior Constables Barry Shepherd of Taupo and Cliff Jones of Turangi said they had been involved in seven search and rescue operations involving nine people in the past month. In most cases, those people had been poorly prepared, poorly dressed and poorly equipped.

Volunteers and police were getting tired of dealing with calls for help from people who should know better, they said.