Backpacker going to buy a Lotto ticket after survival

By Patrice Dougan

Photo / Thinkstock Article

A Chinese backpacker who survived three days missing in the bush says he might buy a Lotto ticket to test his luck.

Cheng Chen, 28, went for a walk in National Park, Ruapehu, on Sunday but lost his way and spent three days in the bush, without food or equipment, as poor weather closed in.

A search team found him on Wednesday afternoon on the outskirts of National Park.

He was discharged from Taumarunui Hospital today after receiving treatment for exhaustion and exposure to the cold.

Mr Chen acknowledged some people would describe him as lucky to have survived the experience.

"I'm going to buy a Lotto ticket, if I win a prize that should prove if I'm lucky," he said.

Now would be a good time, with tomorrow's Lotto jackpot standing at $32 million.

However, Mr Chen declined to elaborate further on his experience, saying it was embarrassing.

"I went to see a waterfall and got lost in the National Park without food, without water, no hiking gear, and nearly died," he said.

The alarm was raised about noon on Tuesday by the owner of the accommodation where Mr Chen had been staying. He had not been seen since before he went for a walk in the Tupapakurua Falls Track area on Sunday.

There was concern for his wellbeing, with reports that he was unprepared for the stormy weather that struck the North Island earlier this week.

After Mr Chen was rescued, search co-ordinator Sergeant Colin Wright, said he was lucky to have survived.

Link: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11131167

Success Criteria: I can locate information and make evaluations and recommendations based on this.

Knowledge Questions:

1. Where did Mr Chen go walking? He went for a walk in National park Ruapehu.
2. What three things did Mr Chen NOT take with him on his walk? Water, food and hiking gear.
3. How long did it take for anyone to notice that Mr Chen was missing? it took three days for the rescue crew to find him.
4. It says “Mr Chen declined to elaborate further on his experience” What does elaborate mean? It means that he will not go any further in his quest.

Discovering more information Questions:

1. Imagine that you are Mr Chen and going for the same walk. Use the Department of Convservation website (www.doc.govt.nz) to find information on the Tupapakurua Falls Track that Mr Chen walked.
1. How long (distance) is the track, and how long (time) does it take to walk? The distance of the walk is 11 km and the time it would take is 4-5 hours.
2. Who is the track recommended for? The track is recommended for Experienced hikers.
3. What are the conditions of the track? Slippery, muddy and following rain.
2. Read the Plan and Prepare section.
1. What two things does it recommend you do before your walk? Before always check the weather forecast always be prepared for bad weather.
2. What five things does it recommend you take with you on your walk? Windproof and waterproof clothes, good hiking boots, food and plenty of drink, sunglasses and sunscreen, first aid kit.  

Evaluation :

1. Do you think Mr Chen was well prepared for his walk? No because he did not have and of the above and he did not check the weather

      Why did Mr Chen think it was a good idea to buy a Lotto ticket? Because he thought he was lucky to be alive

2. Why do you think Mr Chen was embarrassed to talk about his experience? Because he was unprepared and didn’t take precaution.    

Summarise:

1. Using the information above, write an explanation in full paragraph format of Tupapakurua track, including:
1. definition of a hike,
2. description of the track, and
3. operations of  what steps you should take before and during your hike.
4. any other special features including a picture of the track to accompany it.   

Write your explanation paragraphs here:

If you were to take a hike in the Tupapakurua falls you would need to look at the weather forecast and be prepared for bad weather .The simpies you would need would be wind and waterproof clothes, good hiking boots, food and plenty of water, sunglasses and sunscreen and a first aid kit .The trip would take 4-5 hours and it is 11 km .