Every year at least six people embark on a journey into New Zealand bush and never make it home.
And with tourism on the rise, more people are now walking the country's most beautiful tracks than ever before.
It's been revealed 750,000 people tramp New Zealand tracks each year, but sadly it doesn't always go as planned.
Over the past decade there've been 34,000 injuries and more than 3000 people brought to safety by Search and Rescue teams.
So what can you do to make sure you don't add to the statistic?
Mountain experts have put together a list of five things to check off before heading into the great outdoors:
Remember, you can't count on your cellphone to get you out of trouble.
"In New Zealand you can't rely on cellphone coverage," says NZ Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley. "So taking a cellphone to raise an alarm is not a reliable way to do things."
Over the past decade, 71 percent of the 45 fatalities in New Zealand occurred on South Island tracks.
The Queenstown Lakes area topped the list for the region with the most deaths (15) and injuries (3641), while Southland had the most rescue operations (168).
Mr Daisley said it comes down to personal repsonsibilty.
"The New Zealand environment is great and even in the depth of winter exploring New Zealand is a great thing to do, but it's just taking responsibility, taking the right gear and taking some control over your destiny."
For guides, weather reports and general help preparing for a trip visit the Mountain Safety Council's website.
Newshub.
