THESE pictures reveal the remote hut where a Czech hiker survived alone for a month after her partner died in a fall in the New Zealand wilderness.

Pavlina Pizova said she heard Ondrej Petr's last breath and spent two freezing nights beside his body before leaving to find shelter in the empty rangers' cabin.

14 This hut national park rangers' hut was where Czech tourist Pavlina Pizova spent a month living alone waiting to be rescued Credit: Getty Images

14 The cabin, which is not used during the winter, was stocked with food and firewood Credit: Getty Images

14 Pavlina survived a month alone in the New Zealand wilderness after her partner died in a cliff fall on the Routeburn Track Credit: AP:Associated Press

14 Pavlina and her partner Ondrej Petr, pictured together during their travels Credit: Getty Images

She broke into the lodging through a window to find it filled with food and water - vital supplies that would ensure she survived the freezing conditions.

The hut, built to house rangers on the National Park track, is not used during the harsh winter months.

"As you can imagine the last month was very harrowing for me," a pale and emotional Pizova told a news conference at Queenstown's police station.

related stories INCREDIBLE TALE OF SURVIVAL Hiker found alive a MONTH after getting lost alone in the New Zealand wilderness TOP TIPPLES English wine ranked world's fourth best ahead of Spanish, South African and New Zealand HOTEL INTEL New Zealand rugby team call in cops after 'sophisticated' BUG is found in hotel room ahead of Australia clash Crisis Point The Middle East is baking in 60 degree temperatures which are pushing people to the limits of survival BEAR GRYLLS JIHADI Brit teen tried to join join ISIS with survival pack containing first aid kit, woolly hat and a map of Turkey

The couple set out on July 26 to hike the scenic Routeburn Track, a 20-mile trip that typically takes three days in the summer, but which can become treacherous in the winter months from June to August.

Pizova said they made several mistakes: they didn't tell anybody of their specific plans, they didn't take a locator beacon, and they underestimated the winter conditions.

"All these aspects contributed to our tragedy," she said.

Midway through the hike, as they tried to reach the Lake Mackenzie Hut, things started to go wrong.

"The conditions were extreme. We encountered heavy snowfall and low cloud which contributed to our enforced overnighting in the open.

"In our attempt to reach the hut, the tragic accident happened. When my partner fell and died after his death it took me two nights in the open before I managed to (reach) safety at the hut.

"During this time I got extremely cold, exhausted and my feet were frozen.

Czech Consul Vladka Kennett Kennett said Ondrej fell down the slope.

"Pavlina slipped behind him, and was unable to help him out, and that was it.

"She stayed with him for the first night, beside him, because first of all she wanted to be with him, and she couldn't move any farther due to the weather conditions."

Kennett said Pizova spent another night outdoors as she remained lost in the deep snow. She rubbed her feet and tried to keep her blood circulating, and wore all the clothes and blankets she had with her.

14 This is the remote area where she became stranded in New Zealand's South Island Credit: Getty Images

14 Pictured are the snow shoes Pavlina fashioned out of old vegetable baskets Credit: NZ Poliice

14 Ondrej died during the hike when he fell down a cliff Credit: NZ Poliice

14 The pair set out on the trek in late July but it took a month before anyone knew they were missing Credit: Facebook

14 Pavlina poses next to snowmen the couple made during their time in New Zealand Credit: Facebook

14 The Czech consul said Pavlina was planning to return home as soon as possible Credit: Facebook

Pizova says she finally found her way to the Lake Mackenzie Hut and broke into the warden's quarters through a window.

She says she tried to hike out several times but her frost-bitten feet and the avalanches she was witnessing discouraged her.

Pizova would end up spending nearly a month at the hut. She used ash to fashion a letter "H'' in the snow to signal for help. But other hikers were avoiding the route, and the planes and helicopters she waved at never saw her.

Kennett said Pizova also tried making snow shoes, crampons and walking sticks from items she found around the hut, attempts which would later impress rescuers.

But Kennett said she never made it more than a few hundred yards before turning back.

"She wasn't confident to carry on but she didn't give up trying," Kennett said. "She tried everything she could, given the conditions."

Kennett said Pizova survived on food left behind by the wardens, who don't live there during the winter.

She was only found because a consul for the Czech Republic, Vladka Kennett, spotted "a random Facebook post" from fraught relatives in the Czech Republic and informed the authorities.

14 Rescuers make their way down into the area to recover Ondrej's body Credit: Getty Images

14 Ondrej died during the hike when he slipped and fell down a cliff Credit: Getty Images

Pizova expressed her gratitude to the New Zealand Land Search and Rescue, local police and the Department of Conservation for their efforts.

Pizova urged travelers intending to trek through the New Zealand mountains to be informed of the extreme winter weather conditions prior to starting their journey.

"I'm aware we made a few mistakes - not leaving our intentions with somebody, not carrying a personal locator beacon and underestimating the winter conditions," said Pizova.

A coroner's inquiry is underway into Petr's death. Television New Zealand reported he was 27 years old.

Inspector Olaf Jensen said earlier this week Pizova used fire ashes to fashion a H for help sign outside the hut but the route was largely deserted, meaning no one spotted her marker.

He said: "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."

He said the area was extremely treacherous, saying: "It was really extreme conditions" and the snow had become "significantly deep".

PAVLINA PIZOVA'S STORY IN FULL "As you can imagine the last month was very harrowing for me and my and my partner’s families.

"There is not enough space and it is not appropriate at this time to go into details, but I’d like to take this opportunity to just briefly explain our actions.

"The conditions were extreme, we encountered heavy snow fall and low cloud which contributed to our enforced overnighting in the open which affected our plans to reach Lake McKenzie Hut.

"In our attempt to reach the hut the tragic accident happened when my partner fell and died. After his death it took me another two nights out in the open before I reached the safety of the hut.

"The recent heavy snows meant I was walking through waist-deep snow and because all track markers were covered, I had to find my own way. During this time I got extremely cold, exhausted, and my feet were frozen.

"At the hut, considering my physical health, the deep snow conditions, knowing there were avalanche paths ahead of me, I knew it was best to stay in the safe place. I made a few attempts to walk out from the hut, but my feet, the weather conditions and the deep snow discouraged me from doing so.

"At the hut I saw numerous avalanches coming down. I would like to use this opportunity to pass a strong message on to anyone intending to travel in the New Zealand mountains to seek very good information and mainly respect the winter conditions and quickly changing weather.

"I am aware we made a few mistakes – not leaving our intentions with somebody, not carrying a PLB and underestimating the winter conditions on the track. All these aspects contributed to our tragedy.

"I would like to thank the New Zealand Land SAR, the local Police and DOC for their effort to bring me to safety. Especially I’d like to thank Vladka and Richard Kennett for their help and assistance on the personal basis and helping our families to get through all this."

It is believed Ondrej fell down the sleep slope on July 28.

Once the alarm was raised, authorities found the couple's car on the Glenorchy track, near Queenstown, finding Pavlina on Wednesday.

She is now staying with the New Zealand honorary consul of the Czech Republic Vladka Kennett in Glenorchy. The diplomat acted as a translator when the woman spoke to police.

She said Pavlina, who was devastated at the loss of her partner, had also tried to fashion snow shoes out of sticks.

She said the survivor had found a radio at the ranger's campsite but was unable to understand the English operating instructions.

Mountain Safety Council's Mike Daisely said it was a "particularly unusual" scenario.

Rescue crews have recovered Ondrej's body.

The Routeburn Track, on the South Island, is listed on New Zealand's top 10 Great Walks with the route popular with tourists.

Despite its popularity in the summer, the track can become extremely difficult to navigate in the winter months of June until August.

14 This map shows the long and treacherous 20mile Routeburn Track in New Zealand's South Island Credit: Google

14 The terrain of the Routeburn Track can be dangerous for even experienced hikers (stock image) Credit: Alamy

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.