NZ Mountain Safety Council is calling on hikers and trampers around the motu to help other walkers this autumn by sharing a review on Plan My Walk.

The safety council has set the ambitious goal of reaching 10,000 Plan My Walk reviews by the end of the tramping season and has launched a competition to promote the challenge.

User reviews offer a personal account of a track, hut or campsite, including useful tips and recommendations.

These real-life experiences provide significant value for others who are researching or planning a trip and contribute to improved outdoor safety.

Everyone sharing their experiences on Plan My Walk until the end of April will automatically enter the draw to win one of five $500 vouchers for new gear from their favourite NZ outdoor store.

Reviews ‘highly valued’

There are now more than 8500 reviews on Plan My Walk, with a spike in the past two months since the competition launched.

NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) chief executive Mike Daisley was delighted with the response.

“We’re excited that Kiwis are getting on board with our challenge and hope that others will join in, as every review helps someone else plan a better, safer adventure,” Daisley said.

“Plan My Walk reviews are an invaluable source of information for anyone planning an outdoor adventure. Our research shows that reviews influence decision-making and are highly valued by Plan My Walk users.”

Along with reviews, Plan My Walk brings together essential safety information on over 3000 tracks, huts and campsites.

This includes MetService weather forecasts and warnings, alerts, gear lists, and a quick and easy trip planning tool.

“Plan My Walk is helping hundreds of thousands of Kiwis improve their outdoor safety with all the essential information in one place. Now is the perfect time to give back by sharing a review of your adventure.”

What makes a great review?

Reflections: Describe your experience and any learnings. What worked well and what would you do differently next time? Perhaps you’d walk the route anticlockwise, take different gear such as walking poles or use different footwear.

Context: Is your review about a walk you did in the blazing sun with a group of children? Perhaps it was in the middle of winter with a group of alpine experts. Including key details like this helps others make smart decisions.

Photos: Choose photos that show the terrain, any tricky areas on the track, river crossings, or parts that you found surprising or challenging.