great walks now in winter mode. read safety info

Bring back intentions books at road ends. They had 3 functions First they gave Doc an idea on how used a track etc was. Now they dont have a clue whos going in etc. It would still be filled out by the poor soul that didnt sign the hut book because they couldnt afford the hut fee. It also captures stats on those who camp off track. Second it gave other trampers an idea who was going the same way as them. Ive changed a trip because too many people were already going to the intended hut. Now I dont know till I get there. The hut in question is now in the booking system because of issues Thirdly and most importantly it provides info for searchers if something doesnt go to plan. Ok beacons also achieve this to a degree but not everyone has one and there have been occasions where having a beacon has not raised the alarm. The day will come again where sar get a call that someone went tramping in the Tararuas and hasnt come back Dont know where in the Tararuas. Track intention books are much easier to access than hut books because they are closer and there are less places to put them.

@Deepriver, sorry about that, comment has been edited let me know if theres still any offence caused. I really didn't intend that, and had no idea your wife worked for the DoC but now you mention it it makes sense. I don't even remember these intention books, where were they?? Signs? No we definitely don't need more of these...

I liked the intentions books as they gave me information on what trips people were doing e.g. whenever I read the one at the Andrews Shelter in Arthurs Pass, I'd look to see how many people had headed out for Ranger Biv and when we got to the biv, we'd be able to see how many people actually made it up to the biv. There are still the odd intentions books around in Arthurs Pass and other places e.g. the Boyle.

Hugh I think a lot of the DOC signs are just litter and visual pollution too. Yet on on the other hand they have some useful directional info & great interpretation panels in places. In another post I've already mentioned the exit signs in small huts and bivs as being a waste of money. The avalanche/falling rocks signs seem to be rather haphazardly located and IMO we'd be better off without them except perhaps on "tourist" tracks? IMO we need to foster a culture where trampers accept they are responsible for their own safety and some of the DOC signage is counterproductive in this regard. Early in the New Year 2015 we noted that there was still an intentions book at the start of the Nina Valley. I also like to look in them to see what other parties, if any, are going to be in the area I'm intending to go. One of the most ambitious entries I saw was when at the Kelly Creek roadend near Otira. The intended destination of Mt Cook was given via a string of places. The tramper's name didn't mean anything to me at the time but I later discovered that it was "Mad Pom" from this site and that he completed the journey.

Thanks for the apology Pipeking. You remind me of the younger me who would often put my foot in it. It used to be said that I would only open my mouth to change feet! lol My wife says that experienced trampers rarely come into the office with questions. Of course staff have to answer questions on many other subjects other than tramping and in bigger offices some staff may not even be trampers. Whale rescuing is big around here, for instance. Oh, and Abel Tasman, which hardly counts as tramping! lol It always amazes me to meet people on the Abel Tasman worn out by the rigours of the flat track. 4 hours from Marahau to Anchorage - yee gods!