New facilities on the Milford Track
The Department of Conservation (DOC) have released some photos of the new 40 bunk Mintaro Hut IV on the Milford Track. This $3.5 million complex replaces the previous 40 year old hut in a new and better location.
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| The new Mintaro Hut (2021), Milford Track, Fiordland |
The old Mintaro Hut (III) was still perfectly usable although it did have some serious space issues as the track got busier over the years. It was the oldest DOC hut on the track with Clinton and Dumpling Huts both being replaced within the last 10 years. The main reason they moved Mintaro Hut was because it was right in the middle of a rock fall zone and it was only a matter of time before it was going to catch a packet.
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| Old Mintaro Hut was in the shadow of Mt Balloon |
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| The dining/living space at the old Mintaro Hut |
I think the landslip which hit Howdon Hut (Routeburn Track) in 2020 has really focused attention on those huts in potential hazard zones. People got hurt in that incident and it was just sheer bloody good luck that nobody was killed. I talked to a guy on the Paparoa Track that was in Howdon Hut that night and it sounds like it was a harrowing experience. DOC are responsible for the occupants of any hut so I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more at risk huts move or be rebuilt in the next decade or so...
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| One of the bunkrooms at the old Mintaro Hut |
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| The old Mintaro Hut site was also cramped... |
The new hut has been moved to a much better location so it is now bathed in sun for much of the day and less likely to be hit by an avalanche or land slide. It is fully insulated and has double glazing and massive picture windows to maximise sunlight inside and views down the Clinton River Valley. My understanding is that it is lower down the valley and closer to Pompolona Hut. Looking at the new coordinates for the hut it appears to be on the other side of the Clinton River...
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| New Mintaro Hut, the spacious new living area... |
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| New Mintaro Hut has a wrap around veranda... |
It looks really nice and has already opened..it will be in use for the 2021/2022 Great Walk season so anyone walking the Milford Track this year will be staying there. The old Mintaro Hut will be disassembled over the coming summer and flown out to Te Anau for disposal.
