A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.
DOC expects interest in Great Walk bookings to be very high with international travellers in the mix for permits on opening day for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While the Milford, Routeburn and Kepler always tend to book out very quickly, there’s plenty to get excited about on all the epic Great Walks,” Minister of Conservation Willow-Jean Prime said. “The unbeatable combination of wildlife, incredible scenery and limitless fresh air means it’s not surprising the interest is always strong.”
Booking opening dates are as follows:
Thursday 20 April 2023, 9.30 am
- Milford Track
Wednesday 26 April 2023, 9.30 am
- Kepler Track
- Abel Tasman Coast Track
- Rakiura Track
- Whanganui Journey
Thursday 27 April 2023, 9.30 am
- Routeburn Track
- Paparoa Track
- Tongariro Northern Circuit
Tuesday 16 May 2023, 9.30 am
- Heaphy Track – following extreme weather damage in 2022, the Heaphy Track can be booked from either end up to 19 October, with the full track expected to be open later in the year.
Still to be confirmed
- Lake Waikaremoana Track – is closed until at least 30 April due to flood damage.
Read DOC’s full press release.
Booking system and a cap on walker numbers coming to Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Big changes are coming to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, including a booking system, one-way walking from Mangatepopo and greater cultural representation.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing passes through a dual World Heritage Area, recognised for its environmental and cultural values. During its pre-COVID peak, more than 2000 people would walk the track during the busiest days. This led to issues around human waste, overcrowding and heavy congestion. A new management plan intends to deal with such issues. However, with Mt Tongariro being sacred to the Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro and Ngāti Tūwharetoa, ensuring greater cultural representation is at the heart of the changes, which will be implemented in stages from July this year. Read Wilderness’s exclusive story.
Injured tramper rescued two days walk from park exit in Hawke’s Bay
A brief lapse in focus left experienced tramper Liz Wightwick with only one working leg after a one-metre fall in the middle of the Ruahine Range, two days away from the park exit.
The Christchurch native was walking down a steep ridge on Mt Rongotea in the middle of an eight-day tramp with her husband. “I could see myself going head-first down the hill, and I quickly reached with my right hand and grabbed a tussock and that swung me around.”
After a two-hour walk to the nearest hut, they activated their personal locator beacon. According to the helicopter pilot, it was just in the nick of time as the weather window for a pick-up was closing.
Wightwick said multiple factors, including fatigue and wet weather, contributed to the accident. “Listen to yourself. If you are tired, either stop and rest or have a rest day. I didn’t listen to myself. I thought, ‘I can do this, I can carry on’.” Read NZ Herald’s full story.
Track vandalism endangering the public
A section of the Ōrongorongo Track in Remutaka Forest Park known as Jacob’s Ladder is in dangerous condition and could collapse at any moment. However, that hasn’t stopped a vandal from removing the signs warning trampers to use an alternative track for safety.
Robert Ashe, a senior DOC ranger, said “Someone is going to an amazing effort to remove our warning signs, which is putting innocent people at risk.”
One of the huts accessible from the track is Turere Lodge, which is popular with family groups. They are often inexperienced, and Ashe said it is dangerous to force them onto a track where they will not recognise danger signs.
“If someone wants to walk the dangerous route, that’s their choice,” he said. But by destroying the warning signs, they were taking away the choice of other visitors to use the safer alternative route. Read Stuff’s full story.
Woman falls head-first into a long drop in Washington, USA
It’s been a year since a 40-year-old woman in Washington fell head-first into a long drop in Washington State, and we’re still horrified by the tale. According to officials, the woman fell into the toilet trying to retrieve a cell phone when the dog leash she was using to support herself failed.
After 20 minutes, the woman found her phone and called 911. A makeshift platform was constructed to pull her to safety. Rescue officials wrote on Facebook, “The patient was strongly encouraged to seek medical attention after being exposed to human waste, but she only wanted to leave. The patient was extremely fortunate not to be overcome by toxic gasses or sustain injury.” Read Backpacker’s full story.
