A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.

Garmin has released the data of every SOS call out across the world and it’s no surprise that in 2023 the largest percentage of incidents came from hikers and backpackers. More surprising, is that the biggest increase came from SOS calls in driving-related situations. And the top reason that inReach users triggered an SOS in 2023 was for injuries. 

Since 2011, Garmin inReach satellite technology has helped individuals send and receive messages outside of cellphone service areas, navigate routes, track and share journeys. In the article they show a map of all the rescues as well as the breakdown of the type of call out. 

Mount Everest climbers required to use tracking chip

Ahead of the 2024 Mount Everest season, Nepal has announced a new requirement that all climbers must rent and use tracking chips on their journey.

“Reputed companies were already using them but now it’s been mandatory for all climbers,” Rakesh Gurung, director of Nepal’s Department of Tourism, told CNN. “It will cut down search and rescue time in the event of an accident.”

He explains that climbers will pay $10-15 apiece for the chips, which will be sewn into their jackets. Once the climber returns, the chip will be given back to the government and saved for the next person.

Last year, Nepal gave out a record 478 climbing permits. Twelve climbers were confirmed to have died on the mountain, while another five remain officially missing. Rescues at “the roof of the world” are risky under even the best of circumstances. Read the story from CNN.

Kanchha Sherpa says Mount Everest is too crowded and dirty

Speaking of Mount Everest, the last surviving member of the mountaineering expedition that first conquered the mountain, Kanchha Sherpa, says that the world’s highest peak is too crowded and dirty, and the mountain is a god that needs to be respected.

“It would be better for the mountain to reduce the number of climbers,” Kanchha said in an interview in Kathmandu, “Right now there is always a big crowd of people at the summit. It is very dirty now. People throw tins and wrappings after eating food. Who is going to pick them up now? Some climbers just dump their trash in the crevasse, which would be hidden at that time but eventually it will flow down to base camp as the snow melts and carries them downward.”

In 2023, 667 climbers scaled the peak, bringing thousands of support staff to the base camp. Rules require climbers to bring down everything they carry to the mountain, but monitoring has been ineffective.

For the Sherpas, Everest is Qomolangma or goddess mother of the world and is revered by their community.

Whakaari/White Island tour company likely to close

White Island Tours faces potential closure after being fined over half a million dollars for its role in the Whakaari/White Island disaster. The company was fined $517,000 and ordered to pay $5 million in reparations to the victims. Richard Raymond, the counsel for White Island Tours, said the reparations would be paid by insurance.

“Fortunately, WIT had the foresight to take out the appropriate insurance, statutory liability insurance it’s called, and that policy enables reparation to be paid to victims of health and safety breaches.

However, Raymond said the company was not in a position to pay the fines. “That is a more difficult issue. The company doesn’t have any funds to pay a fine, given that the company has not been trading for over three years, has no assets and has considerable debts.” He said White Island Tours was likely to close its doors. Read the full story from RNZ.

The Warehouse Group sells Torpedo7 brand for $1

Outdoor brand Torpedo7 has been sold to Tahua Partners Limited for $1, The Warehouse Group has announced.

Tahua Partners will take ownership of Torpedo7’s assets and will assume its obligations, including honouring gift cards, online orders, and customer returns. A spokesperson for The Warehouse Group said the “majority” of the permanent Torpedo7 team will be offered employment by Tahua Partners.

The Warehouse Group chief executive officer Nick Grayston said it’s bittersweet to see Torpedo7 go, but he was pleased that it would continue to serve Kiwi customers who want to get out and enjoy outdoor adventures, with another New Zealand retailer at its helm.

A Tahua Partners spokesperson said they were delighted to welcome Torpedo7 into their business. “As a 100% Kiwi-owned and operated business with a passion for retail and hospitality, we believe Torpedo7 complements our family of well-loved global and local brands.” Read the full story from OneNews.