Mountain Safety Council<\/a>\u00a0forecast of widespread hard ice crust conditions above 1700m on Mount Ruapehu that weekend.
\n
<\/p>\nThe coroner\u2019s report said that a \u201cpivotal moment\u201d in the climb came when the group reached a ridgeline above the hut and encountered \u201cunexpected\u201d hard ice surface conditions for the descent from the ridge to the hut.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI expect that had the actual level of risk which lay ahead been appreciated by any of them, their descent to the hut would not have been attempted,\u201d Coroner Bates said.<\/p>\n
\n
\nLeader considered \u2018pulling back\u2019
\n
<\/p>\n
Pryor, at this point, considered \u201cpulling back\u201d but elected instead to scout ahead to find a suitable route to the hut 200 to 300m away and 30m below them.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Having identified what he thought was a safe route, he began to descend towards the hut and the others followed, starting with Davis.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
They were not using ropes.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the benefit of hindsight, Mr Pryor considers that, as a group leader, others had placed a level of trust in him, and that his assessment that the group would be able to safely navigate from the ridgeline down to the Whangaehu Hut was wrong,\u201d the coroner said.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe alternative was for the group to turn back, which I consider would have been the prudent choice.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Pryor has clearly spent considerable time reflecting upon his decision to lead the group from the ridgeline down to the hut in unexpectedly difficult climbing conditions, and I have no doubt that he carries a heavy personal burden as a result of the tragedy that unfolded.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n\u2018Caught out\u2019 by change in conditions
\n
<\/p>\n
Another member of the group said they were \u201ccaught out\u201d by the sudden change in surface conditions.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The fourth said the slope they were on descending to the hut was steeper than others they had been on, and had firm ice which made Davis feel her crampons were unable to dig into it.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The four members of the group were spaced out and Davis was 20m behind Pryor when she slipped or tripped.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Davis slid down the slope feet-first and on her stomach, rapidly picking up speed.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
As Pryor yelled out \u201carrest, arrest\u201d, she tried to stop herself with her ice axe but, the coroner said, she had \u201cabsolutely no experience\u201d in doing this.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Davis slid and fell a distance of about 250m over rocks and ice, descending about 100m in altitude before coming to rest in the valley below.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
She was seen to hit a large rock on the way down, which turned her round into an uncontrolled backwards slide towards more rocks and over two significant bluffs.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Davis\u2019 helmet came off during the fall and she suffered a head injury.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Her ice axe was never found.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
![\"Wednesday]()
Wednesday Davis died in a climbing accident on Mt Ruapehu on June 29, 2024.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The coroner said that her flexible-soled three-season boots were unsuitable for the conditions, and for use with her borrowed crampons, which were relatively blunt.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNegotiating an ice slope requires correct front-pointing crampon technique in appropriate boots and crampons and the use of an ice axe.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt involves a degree of experience, ability, and confidence beyond that to be reasonably expected of complete beginner and most novice climbers,\u201d the coroner said.<\/p>\n
\n
\nEmergency services called
\n
<\/p>\n
After Davis\u2019 fall, Pryor searched for Davis but could not find her.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The others moved to a safe position on the ridge and emergency services were called about 11am.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
A helicopter with an alpine rescue specialist and a critical care paramedic found and evacuated Davis about 90 minutes later but she could not be saved.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
She was airlifted to T\u016bkino Ski Field base, where, despite medical intervention, she was declared dead at 1pm.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The cause of death was later determined to be a head injury sustained in the fall.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
The coroner recommended that all aspiring alpine mountaineers should complete a basic snowcraft course \u201cas an absolute minimum\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
He also endorsed recommendations to the mountaineering community made earlier by the NZ Mountain Safety Council, specifically about Mt Ruapehu.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand\u2019s beautiful alpine regions are there to be experienced by all who seek their rewards,\u201d Coroner Bates said.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, as so tragically illustrated in the present case, they also present risks which demand utmost care and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n\u2018She loved the world deeply\u2019
\n
<\/p>\n
In an emailed statement, Pryor said his partner was \u201cone of the brightest, most passionate people I\u2019ve ever known, with a smile that could light up any room\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cShe loved the world deeply. She loved the ocean and the natural environment she cared about, and just wanted to make the world a better place,\u201d Pryor said.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cShe approached life with extraordinary courage and curiosity, and she was loved by everyone who met her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWednesday\u2019s loss is carried by so many: her family, her friends, and everyone whose life she touched. What I hope for now is that her memory brings love and warmth to those who knew her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Pryor said he supported the safety recommendations made by the coroner and the Mountain Safety Council, and the broader message that alpine environments demand the utmost care and respect.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMy sincere hope is that these recommendations avoid similar tragedies in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
![\"The]()
The coroner said alpine areas such as Mt Ruapehu deserved ‘utmost care and respect’. Photo \/ Bevan Conley<\/p>\n
\n
\nMT RUAPEHU
\nThe coroner endorsed endorsed recommendations about climbing on Mt Ruapehu made by the NZ Mountain Safety Council:
\n
<\/p>\n
Mt Ruapehu is a serious alpine environment:\u00a0It must not be underestimated; it has complex terrain and dynamic alpine conditions. The steep slopes, deep gullies, bluffs, and cliffs, mean that falls can have severe consequences. Additionally, the firm, wind-affected, and often icy snowpack means losing traction and sliding is a high possibility.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Thorough planning is essential:\u00a0Researching the selected route or objective to understand the hazards and skill level required is critical. Careful route selection is essential to ensure your intended route is aligned with the skills and experience of the group.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
High quality training is a pre-requisite for any outdoor undertaking:\u00a0NZMSC recommends that beginner mountaineers undertake structured training with a reputable alpine instructor, to develop the complex skills required to travel in the alpine safely. Skill acquisition should be focused on fall prevention. Self-arrest should not be relied upon. Learning must be done in a location where the failure to perform a skill will only have acceptable outcomes i.e. in low-risk terrain, with short, clear run out.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Maintain real-time observations and re-assess all environmental conditions:\u00a0It is critical to constantly assess conditions in the outdoors, especially for an activity like mountaineering, where snow surface conditions can change rapidly and have a considerable impact on the risk that a group is exposed to. Decisions should be made based on these unbiased assessments, regardless of whether an individual or group has been in the area or undertaken the route previously. Most importantly, an acceptable alternative should be found if people are not able to undertake their original plan safely, this includes a Plan B or turning around and retreating.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Intentionally establish the group dynamic and leadership style:\u00a0Even for casual recreational trips, there is a need to establish clear group dynamics in the form of open communication and to be intentional in the choice of leadership style. Trips with an agreed leadership style, informed collective decision making and a consistent flow of information are more likely to be successful, safe and ultimately fun.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Use equipment only as intended by the manufacturer:\u00a0Follow boot manufacturer recommendations on crampon compatibility. Ideally, crampons should only be used with mountaineering-specific boots with a full shank, or only in line with those specifications set out by the manufacturer.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency, including as a political reporter at Parliament, before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME\u2019s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke\u2019s Bay.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MTBAZVIRQFBDLJ7H64HBIM3ZEE.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
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