Tourist found in New Zealand bush 1 month after partner dies

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A tourist from the Czech Republic, whose partner fell to his death, survived a harrowing month in the frozen New Zealand wilderness before being rescued, police said Thursday.

"Given her experience and the avalanche risk, she decided it was best for her safety to remain in the hut, and that was the correct decision to make," Jensen said.

Geoff Owen, the Wakatipu-area operations manager for the Department of Conservation, said the Lake Mackenzie Hut where the woman stayed had firewood and may have had some food left behind by the rangers.

When there is deep snow, it's typically only tackled by climbers equipped with crampons and ice axes.

Richard Forbes, the president of the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club, said he was with a group of hikers that went to the Routeburn Track last weekend.