That is according to Wanaka Senior Constable Phil Vink who was Search and Rescue co-ordinator yesterday in the search for tramper Beau Child, who emerged from the track safe and well a day later than expected.
''It's not quite goat country,'' Snr Constable Vink said.
''It definitely needs quite a level of agility to be safe, as opposed to walking into the Mt Aspiring hut which is pretty much walking up a path.''
Ms Child started the Motatapu Track from the Arrowtown end and was reported missing on Thursday night when she did not complete the track in the time expected.
Snr Const Vink said Ms Child spent an extra night in the Roses Hut at the Arrowtown end of the track ''as a result of her travels being possibly a little bit more challenging than expected and her taking her time''.
While it was hard to know how ''loose or tight'' her arrangements were, ''as a person on their own we are going to treat that with a level of urgency''.
''When you go out into the back country like that, especially on your own, it heightens the level of concern when there's a plan that's not followed.''
Snr Const Vink said, however, it was better for trampers to take their time and stay in a hut for an extra night ''if that's going to make them safer''.
He advised trampers to gain an understanding of tracks; the Motatapu sometimes caught people out in terms of the time it took to complete.
While the weather was not a factor in Ms Child's case, it was important for trampers to adjust their plans to suit the current wet weather, he said.
A sign at the start of the track warns it is exposed, physically challenging and ''only suitable for experienced trampers''.
''Time allowances may need to be adjusted for those not confident in this type of country.''
Police could not say where Ms Child was from.
