Measuring the Impact of Plan My Walk

A study into the benefits, impacts and positive outcomes of using Plan My Walk.

Published December 2024

Plan My Walk was developed to improve the safety of hikers and trampers using MSC’s evidence-based prevention strategy. Three years after launching we have asked ourselves, ‘Is Plan My Walk making a positive difference to users’ safety?’

Between 2010 and 2017, search and rescue (SAR) assistance was required for 3,669 trampers in New Zealand. More than half of these SAR incidents were the result of inadequate preparation, including lack of appropriate gear, overambitious trip selection and insufficient fitness.

Addressing these entirely preventable causes, MSC identified a significant gap in the resources and tools available for trampers to enable quality trip planning and preparation, particularly at beginner to intermediate levels.

To meet this need, MSC launched Plan My Walk in 2021, an accessible digital platform enabling trampers to efficiently and effectively find suitable trips and create quality trip plans, thus improving their safety. Plan My Walk consolidates essential safety information specific to each track, hut and campsite – such as weather forecasts and warnings, alerts, gear lists, authentic reviews from other users, and a quick and easy trip planning and intentions tool. Previously, these critical safety functions were dispersed across multiple sources.

So, is Plan My Walk making a positive difference to users’ safety? We have the evidence to prove it is.

In 2022, in partnership with Rangahau Aotearoa Research NZ, we conducted the first impact survey. The results blew us away, confirming that Plan My Walk was significantly improving trampers safety in the outdoors. In 2024, we repeated this research and have reported the major findings below – the results are clear: Plan My Walk continues to have a significant positive impact.