Letter of the month: Backcountry huts and bookings

Are backcountry huts ‘shelters from the storm’ or hotels? With the recent addition of Kirtle Burn and Anti-Crow huts to the booking system without public consultation, backcountry users may be questioning whether DOC understands the purpose of backcountry huts.

The only huts which ought to be added to the booking system are those that are either used only for overnighters, and not part of a multi-day route, or are purpose-built for that reason. Huts that involve river crossings, multi-day routes or alpine travel should not be bookable as that is where the true safety concerns are. If you have a booking you are more likely to push ahead despite dodgy conditions. 

Bookable huts are a vicious circle: the more huts are put on the booking system, the more the old hut etiquette is lost. People expect their own bed and are reluctant to make space for latecomers. People are also less likely to carry their own shelter as they are used to relying on the hut. If huts are merely viewed as shelters then it doesn’t matter if people sleep on the floor.

While being able to book family-friendly huts can be reassuring, it presents its own problems, with huts being booked out months in advance. With busy huts, simply avoid them if you don’t want to risk being a sardine!

Let’s keep backcountry huts open to all, and let those who want certainty of a bed stick to Great Walks and private huts.

 – Heather Jenke

Heather receives a pair of Exped Booties worth $80 from www.bivouac.co.nz. Readers, send your letter to the editor for a chance to win.

Where should you cross that river? 

I am bemused by the title of the article ‘Decision point: where to cross a river’ (May 2025). The article is full of good stuff about hazards, what to consider and what to avoid, but nowhere does it actually tell you where to cross a river. The nearest it gets is ‘when crossing a river, decide first whether it is safe, then choose where to cross’.

I have spent a long lifetime trout fishing and tramping and have a reasonable knowledge about the subject. There’s a very simple ‘rule of thumb’ to follow: cross at the foot of a pool just upstream of where the water starts to speed up. This works in small, fast mountain torrents and bigger rivers. Of course there are heaps of variables, but that’s where I’d first start looking for a safe crossing point.

– River Howe

Favourite ready meals

Regarding, ‘Which tramping meal is for you’ (April 2025), the Real Meals Berry Smoothie is one of my favourites. It is delicious, and rehydrates with cold water so it’s perfect for a quick snack while tramping. Also good is the Real Meals Beetroot and Carrot salad – it’s fresh and zingy, a really nice change from normal warm dehy. A great side salad with dinner or on the go, it has surprisingly high protein.

– Michelle Vaughan

#Thankyou, Wilderness

I’m a city girl. The one and only time I camped was exactly 24 years ago! But as I’m newly dating a man who is very active and loves connecting with the outdoors, I opened myself to trying something new. At 45. So I marched down to my local library to get a few copies of the magazine, and jumped straight in.

As someone who is a total beginner, I found the pages informative, aspirational (especially important in my case!) and providing enough of a framework to turn hiking and tramping into a lifelong habit (hello, #walk1200km). 

I’m hooked. Thank you for that. There may be hope for us yet #wink!

 – Sumeera Dawood

Canine companions

In response to the article ‘Sexual harm in the backcountry’ (September 2025), women should be able to take one restrained dog onto DOC land. The person and dog must attend and pass dog obedience classes. Dogs would be on lead at all times and not allowed in huts. 

I have a well-behaved 38kg German shepherd who has been trained not to disturb birdlife. He also stood in front of me once when a wild pig, larger than him, became threatening. 

I have been shocked at the number of females who ask to walk with us and wish we could go further than designated trails for their safety. 

It is shameful that sexual harm to women is an issue in the first place.

– Sharon Boulton

A Kiwi pilgrimage

After having read most of the books about global pilgrim trails, such as the Camino, I wonder what is the chance of having one here?

It could provide a shorter option than Te Araroa. Maybe from the Arthur’s Pass Chapel to Tekapo and Aoraki Mt Cook? The first and last places being two spiritual homes of mountaineering.

Is anyone in Canterbury interested in picking this up and running with it?

– Tony Clearwater