Czech woman survives a month on NZ mountain hut after partner fell to his death during trek

New Zealand police rescued a Czech woman in a remote mountain hut along the famous Routeburn track a month after she went hiking with her partner on South Island’s famous Fiorland National Park.

According to the police, the unidentified couple started their 32-kilometre tramp on July 26 but they were found only after the Czech consulate reported the couple missing to New Zealand authorities this week.

The woman was found Wednesday at a warden’s hut close to Lake Mackenzie, where she took shelter after her partner fell to his death on a steep slope on July 28.

"She managed to reach him. However, it's believed he died not long after," Inspector Olaf Jensen said.

"She then made her way to a hut where she has been since early August."

The injured woman broke into the warden’s hut, where she stayed due to the risk of avalanches. She found a mountain radio on the hut but she had failed to operate it to ask for help.

The lady was brought to a hospital for medical assessment and was found to be in good health. Meanwhile, police deployed search crews to the track to try and find the man’s body.

According to authorities, the Routeburn track takes walkers between two to four days to complete. The track is officially closed during winter but tourists still visit.

“Walking the track during this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people,” the New Zealand department of conservation said.

Meanwhile, Noel Saxon of the Ultimate Hikes Queenstown, said the woman’s survival was a feat. Ultimate Hikes Queenstown organizes groups of tourists along the Routeburn track.

“I have been very surprised by this story – she must be a hardy character to have stayed out there so long in these conditions,” he said.