‘My luck ran out’: the hiker airlifted off a Canterbury track who is now walking 255km to give back

Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Bernadette Mulders is walking 255km this august for the Back To Base challenge, the return distance from Woolshed Creek to Christchurch.

When Bernadette Mulders set off on her first solo overnight hike last December, she almost didn’t bother hiring a personal locator beacon.

It saved her life.

On December 6, Mulders was walking back from Pinnacles Hut in Mt Somers when she slipped on a rock and heard a snapping sound. She tried to get the attention of a group of hikers further down the track, then passed out.

“It was such a stupid accident,” she said. “But they say these always happen when you least expect it. It just seems that my luck ran out.”

When she came around, a group of hikers had spotted her. Realising her injury was serious, they activated her PLB - a device she almost didn’t bring.

Bernadette Mulders almost didn’t pack a personal locator beacon. Then she got hurt.

“I didn’t know if I could be bothered going out of my way to hire one,” she said. “But I did, and it was the best decision I made. It was the best way to accurately pinpoint my location and get emergency services to me quickly.”

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter landed at nearby Woolshed Creek Hut, with the crew going on foot to find her on the track. She was transported to Christchurch Hospital, where she underwent surgery for a spiral fracture of the tibia.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter coming in to land at Woolshed creek hut on its way to pick up Bernadette Mulders.

“The rescue helicopter crew were so kind. They met me at one of my worst moments, but they kept me distracted and calm. I really appreciated that.”

Now fully recovered, Mulders is lacing up her hiking shoes to give back - taking on the Back to Base challenge this August by walking 255 kilometres, the return distance from Woolshed Creek Hut to Christchurch.

“I can’t describe how thankful I am for the rescue helicopter service. Taking on the Back to Base challenge is a very small way I can say thank you to the service that saved me.”

Bernadette Mulders getting stretchered off the track after the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew arrived.

While she’s not brave enough to walk the Woolshed Creek Hut track again, she planning daily walks with some weekend hikes in the Port Hills to help her reach her 255km goal.

Back to Base is a community fundraising challenge run by the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust throughout August. Participants choose a distance equivalent to a real rescue helicopter mission - including 9km, the distance from Christchurch Hospital back to base, and 145km for a Fox Glacier mission.

Last year the challenge raised $65,000. This year the trust is aiming for $100,000.

Critical care paramedic Cameron Horner said rescue missions were growing in complexity, with crews now able to deliver more advanced care than ever before.

“Rescue helicopter crews today deliver a level of care that ten years ago we never dreamed would be possible in the remote environments we find ourselves in,” he said.

Anyone can sign up for the Back to Base challenge at backtobase.co.nz. To donate to Mulders’ fundraiser, visit backtobase.co.nz/bernadette-mulders.