7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption These display cards make a clear statement to enforcement officers, as to your intention while parking I can see no downside in being clear about my intentions Imagine if other NZers had to justify their parking or risk a $400 fine every time they went to the shops or the beach. I am not freedom camping’ cards Miriam Richardson We are now in a surreal world of peculiar freedom camping rules. Every camping vehicle is now at risk of substantial fines, wherever it is parked, as the new offence of “preparing to freedom camp” is defined as “parking”. Well, literally, “park a motor vehicle to use it for freedom camping” (20 (2) (b)). Since the intention of the parking is not a visible thing, any parking of a camping-capable vehicle at a cafe, on the street, in a residential area, in a shopping area, at a reserve or a beach opens the driver (or owner) of the vehicle to the risk of a fine of up to $3,000. There are 4 kinds of parking/overnighting/sleeping that the law says are NOT freedom camping. “temporary and short-term parking” “recreational activities commonly known as day-trip excursions” “resting or sleeping at the roadside in a motor vehicle to avoid driver fatigue” “unable to live in appropriate residential accommodation”. There is no observable way to determine if the person is shopping, ‘day tripping’, temporary parking or short-term parking, undertaking a recreational activity, suffering from driver fatigue or a migraine, or homeless. •  “Temporary and short-term parking” looks identical to preparing to freedom camp. •  “Recreational activities commonly known as day-trip excursions” look identical to preparing to freedom camp (awning/sun umbrella, chairs, table, BBQ, togs and towels out to dry etc). •  Resting because of driver fatigue looks like resting or sleeping for any other reason. •  The homeless live in their vehicles the same way as travellers do but aren’t restricted to designated areas, nor required to be certified self-contained. The Ressponsible Cammpers Asociation has been selling window cards alerting anyone interested as to their freedom camping status. These display cards make a clear assertion to enforcement officers, as to the intention of the parking. I can see no down side in being clear about my intentions, so I think I will prepare some cards to put on my dashboard when I am parked but not freedom camping. I am not freedom camping, I am recovering from driver fatigue, as allowed by the Freedom Camping Act 2011, 5, 2(c). I am not freedom camping, nor am I preparing to freedom camp. I am on a day excursion, as allowed by the Freedom Camping Act 2011, 5, 2(b). I am not freedom camping, nor am I preparing to freedom camp. I am shopping or short-term parking as allowed by the Freedom Camping Act 2011, sections 5, 2(a) and 2(b). Homelessness is a whole other issue. When it comes to freedom camping the definition of homelessness has been changed, presumably in an effort to exclude people who live on the road and do not have a residential address. If a person ‘is able’ to stay at a boarding house, campground, motel, hotel, hostel, etc, they are, by definition, not ‘homeless’ when it comes to freedom camping. What counts as ‘able’ or ‘appropriate accommodation’ is not defined. Most living on the road would be excluded by this definition, though in places where the listed forms of accommodation are unavailable, they would, indeed, be homeless in terms of ‘freedom camping’. I might add another card advising that I will contest any infringement notices; I haven’t quite decided about that yet. With such draconian laws falling on our heads, contesting notices in court may become necessary. References: Freedom Camping Act 2011 ckw.nz/FC-law Homelessness: Freedom Camping Act 2011, 5, 2A (a)(b)(c) Temporary parking: Freedom Camping Act 2011, 5, 2(a) Day trip excursions: Freedom Camping Act 2011, 5, 2(b) Driver fatigue: Freedom Camping Act 2011, 5, 2(c) Articles in this issue on the freedom camping law changes: Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system (p2) Editorial (p3) Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours? (p6) So you want to freedom camp (p8) What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? (p10) Enforcement of freedom camping rules (p12) I am not freedom camping' cards (p14) Do your bit: Task of the week (p16) No more freedom camping (p16) Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West (p18) Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health (p20) 7 days a week (p21) Celebrating Summer (p5) Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 14

2 Summer 2022 2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Cassette opener tool The cassette opener tool in action, taking the pressure off the plastic lugs. Handle, shaped a bit The stick is a piece of broom handle, 300mm long. Cut a slice out of it. Add the screws. Cassette flap with holes See the holes drilled in the flap of the cassette. A DIY tool to unscrew the top of the cassette John McMurdo This tool takes some of the pressure off the plastic lugs. In the flap from the top of the cassette, drill two holes, slotted to make a keyhole shape. They are at 70mm centers on our cassette; yours might differ. The stick is a piece of broom handle, 300mm long. Cut a slice out of it. This isn’t necessary but makes it fit more closely. Partially screw in two screws to match the holes you drilled in the cassette flap. Use this stick as a lever to turn the flap without putting too much pressure on the lugs , which are only plastic and easily broken. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 29

9 Spring 2024 Spring 2024 ISSUE 9 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Freedom van camping ©2024 Bette Cosgrove The new law allows freedom camping everywhere for self-contained vehicles and tents unless it is controlled by a bylaw. Challenges for local councils Bette Cosgrove The Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation 2023 / revised Freedom Camping Act 2011 presents significant challenges for councils across New Zealand as they strive to comply. The laws and regulations mandate that councils update pre-existing freedom camping bylaws by June 2025 to align with changes made to the national legislation. The previous definition of self-containment (using the old NZS5465:2001) is no longer usable in a bylaw. By default, the new law allows freedom camping everywhere for self-contained vehicles and tents. To control freedom camping, a council needs a bylaw and making a new bylaw (or significantly updating an old one), requires careful consideration and extensive public consultation. Councils that have no bylaw are very limited in what they can enforce. Councils must ensure that their regulations are not only compliant but also practical and enforceable. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the legislation, as well as the specific needs and contexts of their communities. The process is complex and time-consuming, often requiring legal and logistical expertise that may not be readily available at the local level. Local Government New Zealand supported councils with an updated model bylaw in January: ckw.nz/bylaw-guidance . Managing freedom camping sites poses another hurdle. The making of a bylaw Councils need to identify suitable locations that meet self-containment criteria or specifically allocate areas for non-self-contained vehicles, while balancing the needs of residents, local businesses, and the environment. This can lead to tensions within communities, particularly in popular tourist areas where the influx of freedom campers can strain local resources and infrastructure. Public consultation is critical in this process, yet it can be challenging to engage diverse community voices effectively. Councils must navigate differing opinions on freedom camping, ranging from support for tourism to concerns about environmental impacts and local amenity as well as considering the needs of local iwi. Camping restrictions can only be applied with good reason and evidence that there is a need to either: protect the environment, the local people or access to a public place. Funding and enforcement To facilitate bylaw updates, councils have accessed portions of a 2-year $10m transition fund from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The bulk of this fund was sourced from the International Visitors Levy (IVL) which has recently been increased from $35 to $100 per incoming person. Despite about 80% of freedom campers being domestic tourists, the provision of financial support for management of freedom camping was drawn from our international visitors. That hardly seems equitable. (The $1.9m fund given to the Plumbers, Drainlayers and Gasfitters Board to establish the vehicle self containment system was also sourced from the IVL.) The allocation and management of the contestable transition funding was limited to only those councils who applied. Funds were for education and the development of future freedom camping management strategies. Councils have used some of these funds for enforcement and patrols to monitor sites and in some cases collect fines for breaches of the law. Freedom van camping. ©2024 Bette Cosgrovwe As tourist numbers increase with an expectation of a busy summer ahead, we will likely see local governments who did not get a share of these funds, finding it increasingly difficult to enforce the self-containment of vehicles under the legislation. There will also be a rush to write and implement new bylaws. Currently just over half of all councils across Aotearoa have a current freedom camping bylaw. The transition funding has now come to an end, so it’s very unclear how councils will be able to afford to continue these monitoring/enforcement services. They will be asking ratepayers to fund this in future or hope it is self-funding via infringement collection. Fines are now a minimum of $400 but historically only a small percentage are paid. Have your say in your area, and the areas you visit It’s clear that local councils now face a multifaceted set of challenges as they work to either create, upgrade or enforce their bylaws to implement the revised Freedom Camping Act 2011. If you care about protection of freedom camping sites, or preserving your right to freedom camp in your local area, keep an eye out for community engagement and feedback requests. Many councils have already begun these processes and you can exercise your democratic right to have your say. ◼️ Up Up 9 Spring 2024 , p 26

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Alice cooking dinner on the BBQ Alice cooking dinner on the BBQ at Ohiwa. Read more about accessible camping Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 38

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Check out their online virtual tour. STOP and STAY Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp Marty Ireland Looking for a one stop camp for the family with the dog as well ? Then Quinneys Bush is the place to go. Started as a Christian-based camp some decades ago, although not pushed or unduly promoted, it is now the basis for an acceptable strict camp policy which gives a safe, fun family environment during the summer season. It is 1 hr 45 min from Blenheim, 40 min from Nelson, 55 min from Murchison. This is a popular spot during peak season so book early. There is plenty of sheltered space between sites even when full. Besides tent and caravan sites (powered and unpowered) there are cabins and permanent tents and caravans to hire. There are set daily times for multiple flying foxes, a large water slide, a small motorbike course, trailer rides, and a go cart track. There is also a skate ramp, farmyard pets, turtle pond, tame eels and and a large, safe swimming hole to cool off in. On-site wood-powered boilers provide hot water to the very clean ablution blocks and kitchens and offer a warm seating spot on the cooler evenings. Free braziers are available and firewood is sold each evening: a great marshmallow-toasting and family meeting point at the end of the day. Nearby is a real fruit icecream and honey shop. Take your push bike and use the camp exercise loop track or just use it to get around the generous campsite. Nearby is easy forest riding including an old unused rail tunnel, and a local cafe offering good coffee and a selection of affordable meals and snacks. Check out their online virtual tour. 255 Kohatu-Kawatiri HWY Motupiko 03 5224249 quinneysbush@xtra.co.nz quinneysbush.co.nz Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 13

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Featured content Table of contents, Autumn, issue 7 Editor 2 Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system 4 Editorial 4 The packdown 5 Celebrating Summer 6 Self-containment warrant cards 8 So you want to freedom camp: How to manage the transition period 10 What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? 12 Enforcement of freedom camping rules 14 ‘I am not freedom camping’ cards 16 Do your bit: Task of the week 16 No more freedom camping for these responsible campers 17 Ten tips for hitting the road full time 18 Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West 18 Charly the campervan 19 SMALL TOWN: Taihape: the perfect stopover 20 Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health 21 7 days a week 23 Kiwi camping with a difference 25 Hidden gem: Waipu 26 My caravan that floats 29 Make caravan fridges work as claimed 32 Recipes for camping 33 DOC update 34 Living an endless summer 34 The perils of a coiled power supply cord 35 Camp au naturel 36 Whanganui vintage camping 36 Waihopai camp and the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival 37 Three octogenarian campers 38 Stop & stay — with your dog 39 — Land of the Lotus 39 — Scottland Motorhome Park 40 Events — Camping 41 Festivals and Shows 42 Game: DOC campsites 1: In the north 43 RV & camper business services 52 All Points Camping Club of NZ Articles in this issue on the freedom camping law changes: Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system Editorial Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours? So you want to freedom camp Enforcement of freedom camping rules I am not freedom camping' cards Do your bit: Task of the week No more freedom camping Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health 7 days a week Celebrating Summer Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 3

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption 5th wheeler best in camp Marty Ireland Quinney’s Bush camp: ‘5th wheeler best in camp’. Marty Ireland Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 27

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption fest-rythmn-alps1_H.webp Photo: Rythmn & Alps rhythmandalps.co.nz JUL Honouring the Driving Forces of Our Emergency Services To 31 August, Invercargill Look back in time and get up close and personal with our display of emergency services vehicles, the earliest being from the 1920s. Bill Richardson Transport World. Book at local campgrounds.
 transportworld.co.nz JUN JUL Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival 2024 Fri 21 Jun–14 Jul Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival is back for the 4th year to mark Puanga Matariki in the Bay of Islands and surrounds. Explore our programme of workshops, beautiful waiata, inspiring talks, feasts, star-gazing and family fun! Includes Waitangi Treaty Grounds open day, a film festival, and a dawn cruise. Book at local campgrounds. matarikinz.com JUN Fire & Ice Hot Air Balloon Glow and Laser Festival Sat 22 June, Methven Hot air Balloonists from all over Aotearoa will perform a tethered Hot Air Balloon Glow Show, with lasers light, coordinated by music. ckw.nz/methven JUL Greytown Festival of Christmas 2024 Sat 29 Jun–27 Jul A month long programme of spectacular lights, workshops, events, activities, night markets, parties, festive food, mulled wine and gin. Join the All Points Camping event, or stay at a local camp.
 greytownvillage.com JUL Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival 2024 Fri 5-21 Jul A range of free and ticketed events including live music, theatre, comedy, and so much more over the July school holidays. Activities and events for kids and adults alike. Book at local campgrounds. taupowinterfestival.co.nz JUL Winter Deco 2024 Fri 19–21 July, Napier A winter celebration buzzing with vintage cars, swinging jazz bars, and the heritage trail of light in Art Deco Napier. Book at local campgrounds. artdecofestival.co.nz NOV Nelson Motorhome, Caravan & Outdoor Show Sat 9–10 Nov 2024 Tahuna Beach Kiwi Holiday Park, Nelson
Book your site at the holiday park. nelsonmotorhomeshow.co.nz DEC Rhythm & Alps 2023 Mon 30 Dec–1Jan, Wanaka A three-day music festival held in the picturesque Cardrona Valley between Queenstown and Wanaka. It’s a community, and a celebration of life, music, and camaraderie. Onsite camping.
 rhythmandalps.co.nz something for everyone Festivals Editor Honouring the Driving Forces of Our Emergency Services To 31 August, Invercargill Look back in time and get up close and personal with our display of emergency services vehicles, the earliest being from the 1920s. Bill Richardson Transport World. Book at local campgrounds. transportworld.co.nz Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival 2024 Fri 21 Jun–14 Jul Matariki Pēwhairangi Festival is back for the 4th year to mark Puanga Matariki in the Bay of Islands and surrounds. Explore a programme of workshops, beautiful waiata, inspiring talks, feasts, star-gazing and family fun! Includes Waitangi Treaty Grounds open day, a film festival, and a dawn cruise. Book at local campgrounds. matarikinz.com Fire & Ice Hot Air Balloon Glow and Laser Festival Sat 22 June, Methven Hot air Balloonists from all over Aotearoa will perform a tethered Hot Air Balloon Glow Show, with lasers light, coordinated by music. ckw.nz/methven Greytown Festival of Christmas 2024 Sat 29 Jun–27 Jul A month long programme of spectacular lights, workshops, events, activities, night markets, parties, festive food, mulled wine and gin. Join the All Points Camping event, or stay at a local camp. greytownvillage.com Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival 2024 A range of free and ticketed events including live music, theatre, comedy, and so much more over the July school holidays. Activities and events for kids and adults alike. Book at local campgrounds. taupowinterfestival.co.nz Winter Deco 2024 Fri 19–21 July, Napier A winter celebration buzzing with vintage cars, swinging jazz bars, and the heritage trail of light in Art Deco Napier. Book at local campgrounds. artdecofestival.co.nz Nelson Motorhome, Caravan & Outdoor Show Sat 9–10 Nov 2024 Tahuna Beach Kiwi Holiday Park, NelsonBook your site at the holiday park. nelsonmotorhomeshow.co.nz Rhythm & Alps 2023 Mon 30 Dec–1Jan, Wanaka A three-day music festival held in the picturesque Cardrona Valley between Queenstown and Wanaka. It’s a community, and a celebration of life, music, and camaraderie. Onsite camping. rhythmandalps.co.nz Campfest 2025 Fri 21–23 Feb Bulls Domain, Rangitikei, NI Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 43

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Twilight view ©2023 Dave Adamson Hard stand park by the lake. Playground Cabins View over the lake The new Driftaway camping ground Heather Auckram The new Driftaway camping ground at Frankton in Queenstown. I have stayed in a car, and in a tent. Dogs are welcome. There are bbqs, a playground for kids, breathtaking views over Lake Wakatipu from the dining area, swimming in the lake and a hot tub for adults. A nice place to go for a treat. Heather Auckram Photos ©2023 Heather Auckran, Dave Adamason, Driftaway Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 16

7 Autumn 2024 7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption By Campers for campers Camping the Kiwi Way, 7, Autumn 2024 Editor Table of contents • Editorial • For councils and government Come camping • Stop and Stay Contribute • About Cover image: Coddiwompling ©2024 Bette Cosgrove Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 1

4 Winter 2023 4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Gold miner Wattie Thompson Roland Jones I started my travels around the South Island in late March 2023 in my campervan. I decided to travel the South Island anti-clockwise. Over to Nelson and down the coast, stopping at freedom camping sites. I love the natural surroundings that can be found at these back-of-the-way places. Lindis Pass Hotel ©2023 Roland Jones One such place was the Lindis Pass Hotel. I was intrigued by the history of this building. First set up in 1861 it became a permanent building in1873. As I explored the area, I came across this derelict house (above) built by Wattie Thompson who had panned the river for gold for over 50 years. Unfortunately, he went on the AirNZ Erebus flight to Antarctica and never returned. There is a full article which is interesting reading if you follow the link on 1964.co.nz . In the article it states that people are still looking for the place where he stashed his gold. However, I became friendly with another prospector on-site who told me that he left a letter to a farmer’s wife that if anything happened to him, she should read the letter. On opening the letter, it told her where to find the pickle jar containing 80ozs of gold. So the locals still searching are after fools’ gold — LOL. ©2023 Roland Jones Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 18

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption hydro_3394_H.webp ©2024 M Richardson The park There is a longdrop toilet in the bushes to the right of the entrance way. ©2024 M Richardson ©2024 M Richardson The map ©2024 M Richardson How the power is made ©2024 M Richardson Old equipment on display ©2024 M Richardson The walk up to the penstock ©2024 M Richardson More of the path up ©2024 M Richardson Weird metal stuff ©2024 M Richardson Weird metal stuff ©2024 M Richardson Weird metal stuff ©2024 M Richardson Weird metal stuff ©2024 M Richardson Looking down the pipe to the power station ©2024 M Richardson The water race ©2024 M Richardson The water race The path looks really safe and easy. ©2024 M Richardson Wide path beside the water race/ Nice, wide safe and easy. ©2024 M Richardson Becomes very narrow beside the water race. ©2024 M Richardson From the water race edge to the intake weir. Wide enough for a quad bike. ©2024 M Richardson The intake weir ©2024 M Richardson Golden Bay Stunning views over Golden Bay on the loop back. ©2024 M Richardson Golden Bay Stunning views over Golden Bay on the loop back.©2024 M Richardson Golden Bay Stunning views over Golden Bay on the loop back. ©2024 M Richardson The road out (and in) ©2024 M Richardson GO TO Autumn Gold a board perched on the outer edge of the race Walking the race Miriam Richardson I was parked up alone at the Pupu Hydro Power Scheme carpark on a Winter morning, a very pleasant freedom camping spot by the entrance to the walkway. There is a toilet tucked in the bushes if you need it. The carpark is at the end of an easy gravel road through farmland, beyond Pupu Springs in Golden Bay. The water race was originally built in 1901 for gold workings, and later repurposed to generate electricity, opening in 1929. After 51 years a malfunction put it offline, and volunteers eventually purchased and restored the water race and power plant, reopening it 8 years later, in 1988. It now produces 1.8 Gwh each year. The loop track was completed in 2003. The Pupu Hydro Scheme is an historic site, and the track is in Kahurangi National Park. There is a steep climb up to the penstock, where the water from the race is piped down to the power station. The track then follows the water race up the valley to the intake weir on Campbell’s Creek. From there the loop crosses the stream and winds slowly on a gravel access road, back down to the power station. 5.8km, 2 hours. No dogs. So. I headed up to the penstock, forgetting to take my walking pole. It was steep, rather damp and a bit slippery, so I decided to carry on along the nice wide board walk and do the loop rather than back down the slippery slope. The wide board walk turned into a narrow boardwalk turned into a very narrow board walk. Until this time I had never thought I was afraid of heights. But the very narrow path, with a (felt-flimsy-to-me) rail had me terrified. I haven’t often experienced vertigo before (those bridges without solid bases do it). The wide board walk turned into a narrow board walk turned into a very narrow board walk. Until this time I had never thought I was afraid of heights. But the very narrow path, with a (felt-flimsy-to-me) rail had me terrified. I haven’t often experienced vertigo before (those bridges without solid bases do it). Eyes on the end, hold the rail tight, don’t look left at the drop, step, move hand, step… repeat… ohhh, a post… move hand to the rail beyond the post… step again; repeat…repeat… Whew, made it… I considered turning back after the second round-the-bluff-we-go. If I had only known there were 15, all with terrifying drop-offs, not even trees to catch you as you fall… (how would anyone find me? I thought, if I slipped and fell?). It got narrower than pictured, but I wasn’t taking my clenched hand off the rail to take photos. The race itself was beautiful, with clear water, mosses and ferns. Sometimes the track was a board perched on the outer edge of the race (OMG!) . Eventually, it became a “normal” track, and I met men on a quad bike, up to do track maintenance. “You could have warned us, grumble, grumble …”. From here on it was quad-bikeable, less interesting, but my heart rate could climb down. Some lovely bush and great views over the valley, until it turned into a really boring bit of road to walk along. Boring was surprisingly enjoyable. Staying safe as you travel I had quite a few thoughts about the staying safe aspect of this walk. I was just lucky I didn’t slip or get vertigo and fall. Travelling alone and walking alone has risks and being in places with no mobile coverage has its risks. The hydro scheme site had no internet or mobile coverage when I was there. Personal locator beacon (PLB) Some people invest in a locator beacon, whch is useful not only when walking, but also when in your motorhome. They cost $300–500. When you get into trouble you trigger the alarm and wait for rescue.More: DOC: ckw.nz/doc-plbRescue Coordinanation Centre: ckw.nz/rescue-beacon . Personal safety phone app There are a variety of apps that work in different ways. Some are designed for walking to your car in the dark — hold the button down: if you take your finger off a distress message and your location is sent to bring help. I settled on the Get Home Safe Personal app, a NZ-made app with a good funding model. ckw.nz/get-home-safe With this app, you set a time when you will check back in, and tell it what to do if you don’t. It can send a text (costs) or a message. You tell it who to send the message to, and what to say. You can buy 10 texts for 3.99, and you buy more when you need them. Emails are free. While it is in action, the app monitors your location, sending to its server every 2 mins, or, if you are out of coverage, storing the data for when it next can send it. When it helps: if I feel really unwell at night (will I be capable in the morning?) with a morning check in; are those people a threat to me? with a 10 minute check in; if i am not back from my walk in 1/2/3 hours; driving in snow/ice/weather where there is no coverage: if I dont check in in 2/3/4 hours; travelling out of mobile coverage, if I am not back in contact in 2/3 days. My message can say what my plans are, where I am located and / or travelling, and whether or when emergency services should be involved. Parked up a valley with no coverage, its a bit late: you have to plan in advance. You need a reliable person to receive your messages and act on them. I ask them to try to contact me first (did I just forget to check in?) and take action if they are unable to reach me. More Which to use? The PLB is not tied to mobile coverage and has official, automatic responders, while an app requires preplanning and relies on others, but has more permutations and more general uses. Use both! All images ©2024 M Richardson Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 24