DOC's new Tongariro Crossing Advisories

when it comes to the whole trigger thing, I sometimes wonder if this transition to a warning system based on metrics creates an excuse to not bother so much with people and expertise. Have to agree with the comment except that Tongariro has no one checking peoples abilities. If someone got to the road end in a wheelchair no one will stop them trying to go. They wont get far but they wont be stopped either

The problem is people plan to do the crossing on this day (talk to tourists at work and tongariro is usually the next couple of days) and they want to do it on that day whatever the weather. I am guessing that some shuttles will drop you on most days whatever the weather. The only reasonable way is for shuttles to get together and come up with a standard which the driver looks at when they get on the bus. Have it published all run the same standard (wont happen) Eg no jeans, sandles, IF shorts you have longs in you bag, sun block, thermals in your bag even on the hottest days ect and if they havent refund the money for the shuttle. The signs are advisory so a lot will not take any notice.

Bad weather advisory for Tongariro Alpine Crossing DOC is implementing an advisory system for 'bad weather days' on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing this summer walking season https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2019/bad-weather-advisory-for-tongariro-alpine-crossing/ Date: 30 October 2019 From 1 November 2019 until the end of the summer walking season, DOC will assess the weather and if necessary, apply a 'Not Recommended Today' advisory for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Tongariro Public Safety Senior Ranger Theo Chapman says the advisory will support visitors to make informed and safe decisions before they attempt this challenging 19.4 km hike. "Many track users are not experienced hikers, misjudge how challenging the track is and are often not appropriately dressed or prepared for changeable alpine weather conditions. "The advisory will be implemented alongside other initiatives aimed at ensuring our visitors are safe and have a great experience. "The initiatives include enhanced pre-visit information, safety signage at key decision points and Kaitiaki Rangers assisting hikers on the track," says Theo Chapman. Signage will be posted at the start and end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track, electronic signs will be installed on highways at both road ends, and a notice will also be posted at the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. The weather parameters are based on the Metservice forecast for Tongariro National Park at Red Crater. The advisory will be applied if any of the following parameters are forecast for 12:00 pm or 6:00 pm: Wind speed of 65 km per hour or greater between the time of 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Wind speed of 50 km per hour or greater and precipitation of 10mm or more between 6:00 am and 12:00 pm, or 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm Wind chill of minus 10 degrees Celsius or colder on a fine day Wind chill of 0 degrees Celsius or colder with any amount of precipitation Severe Weather Warning issued for Tongariro National Park DOC will advise tourism operators and transport concessionaires of potential advisory days on Monday and Thursday each week. Operators will be expected to check daily if weather advisory parameters have been exceeded and advise their visitors accordingly.

Hmmm, I wonder if a substantial predator proof (human) with toll gates might work. Gates not functional in inclement weather.Of course it may take a year or 3 to draught up the protocol for what constitutes inclement weather.

the numbers are going up every year.. i havent come across an officials discussing what they think the upper threshold for numbers on the track will be. they keep increasing the toilet numbers, but that doesnt stop people from going to the toilet on the track there used to only be two toilets, and one technically wasnt on the track it was at mangetepopo hut. now theres several at each road end, a couple at the bottom of devile staircase, one on south crater. a couple where kitetahi hut was.. there never used to be any boardwalks or stairs, just trenches being worn deeper into the ground... getting up to south crater was trickier more sliping and sliding if there wsa snow around. that would have put a lot of people off but they made it a lot easier iwth the benched track and steps. so will they keep adding more toilets indefinitely or will they somehow put a threshold on the numbers? easiest way is limit the numbers of shuttle buses who drop the vast no's of people on the track, putting a permit system in place would be an expensive one to administer. or do they do what venice has done? you have a fence and a gate, and it lets in x no of people for the day then it locks people out from entering.... ngauruhoe used to erupt every few years, sometimes several yers in a row , but stopped altogether after about 1975... it could easily erupt again, then that would shut the track down as long as that went on, its only been there for a few thousand years

Get Donald Trump to do a deal with the tourists: they can pay for it!

When they double track it with hobble lanes on the hills and triple tracks in the busier bits then there will be too many people. I know open it to mountain bikes and they will get through quicker so more can do it The real answer is to reroute the track so it becomes a 2 day walk and put a large booked hut somewhere in the middle. Then you can control the numbers. Other way is a permit to walk it although that goes against the open parks policy and people like us would walk off track to avoid the fee which doesnt help with keeping the rest of the park nice

i'm waiting for the cafe to go in at the top.... and the shop at the start of the track selling compulsory items to the walkers before they are allowed to go on the track...

It will have really come of age when there is finally wheelchair access over the whole route.