A Tauranga Land Search and Rescue team have stumbled across four lost tampers - who were using their cellphones to navigate.
Kaimai Ranges (file picture) Photo: Paul Moss [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
The team was training in a gully in the Kaimai Ranges yesterday and came across the group from Auckland.
The trampers got into trouble when they lost cellphone reception and got lost.
The search team helped the group to Motutapere Hut, where they stayed overnight before being escorted out today.
Sergeant Craig Madden said as the trampers had intended staying in the bush overnight, they would not have been reported missing until later today.
He said if they had not been found the group would have been in serious trouble, given the weather conditions overnight.
Mr Madden said it's a reminder for people that the Kaimais do not have good cellphone reception and a good map is essential.