An ill-equipped Welshman who went on a solo tramp above the snowline near Fox Glacier on Tuesday wearing sneakers and jeans is lucky to be alive after he called police from Mount Fox concerned about his position.
Police said yesterday the 24-year-old's expedition was a classic example of somebody who did everything wrong, with no idea of the volatility of New Zealand back country conditions.
"It could have been a totally different story had the weather packed up," said Greymouth senior sergeant Paul Watson.
"Overseas visitors underestimate our conditions because things change so quickly."
The overseas tramper was "totally unprepared".