One of the callouts was to a fatality - Dunedin tramper Karl Walter Quaass (30) died in a fall in the East Matukituki Valley last December - but for the first time in almost a decade, the alpine climbing community was spared further such tragedies last year.
The remaining operations were mainly minor injury situations, Sgt Aaron Nicholson said in his annual report to Wanaka LandSAR this month.
"This is the first time in the past nine-10 years that I can report with some pleasure that we have not had any climbing accidents or fatalities on Mt Aspiring. Apart from one fatality involving [Mr Quaass] in the early part of the season we have mainly had minor injury accidents.
"There has been an increase in beacon activations that has seen us working in Fiordland, Haast, Rabbit Pass, the Huxley area and the Dingle Burn. I anticipate this trend will continue in the future," Sgt Nicholson said.
Makarora SAR team member Mike King also reported a quiet, wet season, with members occupied by training exercises.
The region's operations were broken down thus: alpine 7, marine 6, bush 15, swift water 0.
Eight inquiries involved overdue parties, but all had happy endings.
Sgt Nicholson said he believed more marine rescues took place than were reported.
Marine team leader Jim Talboys said 15 people had now joined the group and taken part in training.
The first-ever 24-hour seven-day on-call team operated on Lake Wanaka over the Christmas holiday period.
"Whilst this was fantastic, the calls were very few due to the persistent strong winds that plague Wanaka and Hawea," Mr Black said.
Other team leaders also reported their members took part in training exercises.
Treasurer Philip Melchior reported the group had ended its financial year strongly, with $27,000 in the bank.
Fundraising had brought in $52,800 in grants.
Money had been spent on upgrading communications equipment on Roys Peak, new storm gear and training volunteers.
