Hypothermia in Sports and Outdoors Activities
- Gary Moller
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
(First Published 2019, updated August 2025)
Not everyone prepares for the cold quite like the "Ice Man"!
As the Wellingtom Region is once again being battered by a raging Southerly storm, plunging us into the heart of winter, I couldn't help but remember an article I wrote years ago on the dangers of hypothermia during outdoor activities, including organised sports. It seems that the rest of the country is also facing similar harsh weather conditions.Don't worry, it's winter, and being aware and prepared is the key to not only surviving, but also thriving in these conditions.
In 2019, I wrote the following:
The recent mysterious deaths of two hikers in the nearby Tararua Ranges has reminded me of the tragic deaths of three runners in the Orongorongo Ranges in 1980. Read on:
"A classic and tragic example of fatal hypothermia occurred in the Rimutaka Range near Wellington in October 1980. Three cross-country runners set off to run a well known circuit through bush country to the Orongorongo River, then return over steep exposed hill tracks back to their starting point. The weather at the time they set out was poor with southerly winds and rain and the conditions worsened later in the day. On the last leg of their run it appears the runners may have become confused as to the correct route, and hesitating on the exposed ridges at about 400 meters altitude in driving rain and sleet, all three collapsed and were overcome."
Quoted from: Changeable Climate therapy or hazard? P. J. Dickson, Wellington
ABSTRACT Human beings have an in-built adaptability to variations in climate. Exposure to a natural range of atmospheric conditions is necessary for balanced and healthy living. Striking the balance requires some degree of planning for most people. For urban dwellers whose occupations keep them mostly indoors, reasonable exposure to changeable outdoor air can too easily be avoided. For those with a taste for tramping, mountaineering, long distance running or boating, exposure to the elements can become a matter of life or death.
I could not have said this better, Mr Dickson — thank you!
Wellington 1980
In October of 1980, I participated in a road-running competition in Wellington City. However, a powerful and bitterly cold storm hit the Lower North Island, smashing into Wellington around 1pm that Saturday. I was frozen to the bone by the time I finished at Wellington's Victoria University. I made the desperate dash home, which was, thankfully nearby.
Later, we received devastating news that three of our fellow runners had gone missing and were later found frozen to death. They had gone for a club run into the Orogorongo Range, a rugged and forest not far from the Capital City. They were only wearing singlets, t-shirts, and shorts. There was a belief that runners could handle any weather as long as they maintained their pace. This was proven to be false.
At the time, I was the ACC representative on the NZ Mountain Safety Council and NZ Water Safety Council. I was responsible for managing the ACC's funding and technical input into the development of safety guidelines for users of our mountains and waterways. I knew a lot about the technicalities and physiology of hypothermia. While the dangers of hypothermia and ways of prevention were being actively promoted among traditional users of the Great Outdoors, such as tramping clubs, nothing had been done for field sports, including responding to the rapidly growing popularity of multisports racing, adventure running, and mountain biking.
Hypotehrmia in Sport Booklet
So, I decided to fill the void and wrote the booklet "Hypothermia in Sport" which the ACC funded. I also invented the "Survival Suit" which is referred to in the booklet. The survival suit never really took off commercially, although it was a brilliant idea. I still have some stored away.
The booklet is now out of print — but I have converted it into a downloadable PDF, which you can have for free. It has been changed a few times, but it is basically how it was when the ACC printed and distributed thousands of copies for free from 1980. Here it is and enjoy the read!
Click on the "magnifying glass" (bottom of the window) to read the booklet, which I might update one day.
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