The 6–8-day trek through the Richmond Ranges is widely regarded as the most challenging section of New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail, a trans-national journey that tests even the most seasoned hikers. On the third day of my solo northbound hike, I encountered a perilous section of the track high above the Wairoa River. One misstep was all it took—I lost my footing and slid nearly 20 meters down a near-vertical face, feet first, landing on rocks just inches from the fast-flowing water below.

The impact left me battered, bruised, and disoriented. It took me nearly 30 minutes to muster the strength to drag myself off the slippery rocks and back to the track. However, it quickly became evident that I couldn’t continue; my severely sprained ankle made walking impossible. The situation was dire. The nearest road was a 2–3-day walk away, an insurmountable distance in my condition.

Realizing I had no other options, I moved to the most open area I could find, knowing that Nelson wasn’t far away as the crow flies. Once there, I activated my ResQLink VIEW RLS PLB, pressing the red button and hoping for the best.

Remarkably, a rescue helicopter arrived within 30–40 minutes. It took the crew another 10–15 minutes to locate me under the dense forest canopy. Once spotted, they expertly winched both me and my gear to safety. From the time of my fall, it was just about an hour before I was admitted to Nelson Hospital, where my injuries could be treated.

Looking back, I can’t begin to imagine how I would have made it out without the beacon. The experience underscored just how vital such a device can be, especially in the unforgiving terrain of the Richmond Ranges.