Trampers failing to make intentions clear in the outdoors are wasting searchers' time.

The case of "missing" tourist Celine near Arthur's Pass highlighted the need for those heading into the outdoors to let people know where they are going.

Last month, Celine Vitrioul left a note in an unstaffed Arthur's Pass backpackers that read, "Hi, I left my bag I am going to tramp for 3 days. Route 12. Celine". Route 12 is the local map name for the Cass-Lagoon Saddle, a two- or three-day walk.

Days later, a fellow traveller found the note and handed it into staff at Mountain House Backpackers, sparking search and rescue (SAR).

The missing tourist was only known as "Celine" for days, until a fellow traveller was tracked down.

SAR volunteers walked the track checking for Vitrioul's whereabouts and a rescue helicopter swept the area. Hostel networks were alerted and stories ran in media outlets for several days. Ten days after leaving the note, Vitrioul was found in Te Anau, having forgotten about it.

Those in the business of saving people lost or injured in the outdoors said the "Celine" case highlighted the importance of leaving clear intentions and contact details before venturing out. New Zealand Search and Rescue secretariat manager Duncan Ferner said "the more detail that's left the better for us".

Checking back in was essential, Ferner said, as unnecessary callouts were a waste of time for the organisation and its rescuers. "Bear in mind, most of our people are volunteers. They have to take time off work or whatever they are doing."

Ferner also said people should consider taking emergency communications, such as personal locator beacons (PLBs). There was an "awful lot of the backcountry" without cellphone coverage but PLBs could be hired from $5 a day, he said.

Most PLBs now have accurate GPS that links directly with SAR and can hasten a rescue.

"Leaving your details is fantastic but if you get into trouble halfway through your trip it will be days before the alert is raised."

In 2011, the Department of Conservation (DOC) disestablished its paper intentions form system. Arthur's Pass local Graeme Kates quit his job with DOC over the decision. He said one of the benefits from the hard-copy intention cards was that it gave DOC rangers a chance to talk through people's plans with them. It prompted a discussion around weather conditions and what equipment the person had.

Others in the industry say there are plenty of options for people to leave notice of their plans.

Mountain Safety Council (MSC) chief executive Mike Daisley said leaving intentions was an essential part of the outdoor safety code. "Whether you leave a note on your fridge, it doesn't really matter. What's critical is that certain information is in it."

Daisley said start and end dates, route, medical information and who was in a party should be included.

The MSC launched Adventure Smart - an online intentions form now run by NZSAR - and also endorsed monitored service, Adventure Buddy.

Nelson-based Don Schwass and George Turner had 60 years of outdoors experience between them when they launched Adventure Buddy.

"We got sick of going out on searches and not having the right information," Schwass said.

The site allowed people to fill in their intentions and back-up contacts before heading away. If the person did not check back in by a specified time, the Adventure Buddy team would try to contact them and their back-ups. Failing that, a SAR response would be raised.

Schwass said the site could be used by anyone heading into the outdoors, including trampers, hunters and mountain bikers.

'MISSING' TRAMPERS

* April 2014: Bob Kuhmann, believed to be missing on the Heaphy Track, was found in Queenstown. Police said he had changed his intentions without informing anyone.

* June 2014: Anja Schulze's friends in Germany reported her missing to Interpol, after not hearing from her since February. Schulze was found in Central Otago safe and well.

* June 2014: Philip Gerald Mohseni's parents in the United States reported him missing after not hearing from him. He had been tramping the Copeland Track but was found safe in Hokitika.

Useful websites:

adventuresmart.org.nz

adventurebuddy.co.nz

beacons.org.nz (personal locator beacon hire information)