Elderly tramper dies on Tongariro crossing

One of two elderly American visitors has died on Mount Tongariro following an ill-fated tramping trip which began yesterday morning.

Detective Constable Kevan Verry, of Taupo police, said the 64-year-old man and 70-year-old woman left Maungatepopo Hut about 8am intending to walk the Tongariro Crossing but failed to reach their destination later that afternoon. A search began for them at about 6.30pm.

A search party found the pair at about 2am today and it appeared the woman had died from hypothermia.


Police this afternoon named the deceased woman as Raydene Shepard, from California. Her partner is retired attorney Dennis McDougall.


The couple arrived in New Zealand on April 7 and planned to stay for four weeks before continuing on a Pacific holiday.


Mr Verry said the weather was cold and they were in an alpine environment where conditions could change within a few minutes.

The pair were not familiar with the area and it was likely they had underestimated the challenge.

"They were ill-equipped for what came in and had a lack of knowledge of the area and became a bit disorientated in the top part of the track," Mr Verry said.

He said the weather was clear when the trampers set out and they may have had the impression it would remain that way.

The Taupo-based Lion Foundation rescue helicopter flew into the bush at first light to pick the pair up and take them to Turangi. The man was also suffering from hypothermia when he was found sheltering near a rock pile in the Red Crater area.

- NZPA