Cascade Saddle in Mount Aspiring National Park is a popular alpine crossing, but the difficulty of the trek and the hazards are often underestimated by inexperienced trampers on this long and demanding route. For two overseas tourists, an overnight adventure to the park goes horribly wrong.

Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.

See photos and read more about this episode on the RNZ website

Thanks to the LandSAR volunteers who shared their stories.

Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In the winter of 1966, four climbers went to climb the Otira Face of Mount Rolleston in Arthurs Pass National Park and never returned. The search and rescue operation was one of the last large scale call outs, all on foot that saw up to a hundred volunteers navigating harsh conditions to find them.

Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.

Thanks to the LandSAR volunteers who shared their stories.

Archival recordings thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

At the centre of the largest and most complex cave rescues ever attempted was Dr Michael Brewer. In 2007, the local doctor was trapped and injured two kilometres underground in a little explored cave system in the Takaka Hills.

Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.

Thanks to the LandSAR volunteers who shared their stories.

Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In November 1982, two climbers Phil Doole and Mark Inglis were trapped on the summit ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook at over 3000 metres. Taking shelter in a sparse crevasse near the summit, storms and high winds thwarted any rescue attempts when the pair were declared missing after five days.

Content warning: this series contains graphic descriptions of rescues and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If unsettling personal stories affect you, please take care while listening.

Thanks to the LandSAR volunteers who shared their stories.

Archive recordings supplied thanks to Ngā Tāonga Sound and Vision

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After five days trapped in the "Middle Peak Hotel" crevasse on the summit ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook, climbers Phil Doole and Mark Inglis were in big trouble – both having frostbite to their feet. By day 15 fears were held for their lives, until a short break in the weather and the heroic efforts of pilot Ron Small and rescuer Don Bogie.

Thanks to the LandSAR volunteers who shared their stories.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details