Great Walks out of season
Original post
... "But from May conditions on the tracks change into backcountry terrain for adventure-seekers. Eight bridges are removed from the Milford Track because of avalanche risk, and another two are removed from the Routeburn Track.
.... However we also know in recent years more visitors with limited experience appear to be choosing to walk the tracks in late April and May and we need to respond to this trend," he said.
The department decided to make a number of changes in response to the review.
Avalanche-prone bridges would be left in place until Queen's Birthday weekend before being removed for winter. That would mean the bridges would be in place for about five extra weeks.
Promotional material and websites would be updated to reinforce hazards in the winter season. Wardens would also be used to monitor huts on the cusp of the winter seasons."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10642285/Tourist-death-prompts-DOC-change
Following the review of the river crossing death of Yessica Asmin
27 comments
theres enough work involved keeping the milford and routeburn tracks clear of debris,
dusky would require too much maintenance and the hollyford, both long tracks subject to a lot of flooding and treefall from virgin forest, they get extremely damaged from storms. the dusky track is very regularly impassable due to a high risk of flooding in long stretches of the valleys every time theres heavy rain...
But Hollyford is already being treated as a cheaper alternative to the Milford and takeing for more people than it can under the current hut sizes etc. Isnt there already a booking system? Doc might as well make some money off it.
great walks bridge all the streams that can flood the track, but they cant prevent the track becoming flooded.. they make resources available to clear the track pretty quickly. I saw someone come off the hollyford once with legs scratched to bits after negotiating the windfall that hadnt been cleared after a summer storm.
I love the challenge of doing trails out of season.
There's the safety in the knowledge that there IS a trail there, which is easy enough to find if you keep your wits about you, no matter what obstacles arise.
But you've got the added challenges of unforeseen hazards to negotiate. Fun times! :)
hahaha @geeves yea I reckon too but can you imagine the up roar if ones legs got scratched whilst walking 'the greatest track in the world'?
What they should do is build a raised boardwalk somewhere, and tout it "The World's Greatest Walk".
And we all just smile and nod and congratulate the tourists whilst secretly enjoying the juiciness of the actual truly epic tramps. :)
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| Forum | Tracks, routes, and huts |
|---|---|
| Started by | Pro-active |
| On | 26 May 2015 |
| Replies | 26 |
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