Good planning makes for pleasant tramping...
I have recently been planing my tramping season for the summer of 2020/2021. I do this every year so I have a list I can tick as I complete trips....if I do not have a list I tend to let things drift and then suddenly its April and I say "...hey....why didn't I do much tramping this year..."
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| Jon on the summit of Mt Herbert, 25th July 2020 |
I have already started working my way through the list of trips for this year so I thought it might be a good idea to look at how I plan a tramping trip.
Where will I go, when and with who:
The three questions you need to ask yourself when planning a tramp are 1. Where will I go? 2. When will I go? 3. Who will I go with? You need to consider all three of these question before you can do any in depth planning. The answers will dictate the type of trip you are undertaking and the resources you will need to complete it.
This stage is very general...you need to have an overarching plan but the detail comes later in the process. Lets look at each of these questions;
Where will I go?
Obviously you cannot go for a tramp without an idea of where you want to go. If you are an experienced tramper you are going to have a 'must do' or 'bucket list' of tracks, huts and destinations you want to visit. You simply pick a suitable trip off the list and that is your destination.
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| The Department of Conservation have a track finder page... |
For the new trampers out there you should cultivate the habit of gathering information about good destinations so you have a list of places you can visit. Do it online or on paper it doesn't matter which media you use. I have a list of day trips, overnights and multi-day trips I add and chose from (I see mine needs a radical overhaul....).
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| I have a Word file of trips I would like to do.... |
Good sources of information on tramping routes are books and magazines, outdoor websites, online chat groups and social media locations like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. There are a multitude of blogs, web pages and vlogs with information about places you can visit.
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| Wilderness Magazine is a great source of information.. |
Have a bit of a dig around and chose a tramp that fits your needs.
Public or private tracks?
Note: There are both public and private tramping tracks in this country.
The majority are public tracks on crown owned land administered by DOC or some public entity. These tracks are free to use and in fact your access to this land is guaranteed in law. While there is no charge for using the public tracks there is a fee for using backcountry huts but if this bothers you there is always the option to camp. There are designated campsites but provided you are at least 100 meters from any track you can pitch anywhere on DOC land.
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| DOC camp site at Port William, Rakuira |
There are a growing number of private tracks around New Zealand these are mostly run by private farms, local authorities or trusts. Private tracks may require a fee for use...this is freehold land so it is fair that they ask for funds to maintain tracks and facilities. They often use luxuriously converted ex musterer's huts for accommodation. There are some great private tracks around the country...examples include the Tora Walk, Banks Track and Kaikoura Coast Track.
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| On the North Islands beautiful Tora Coastal Walk |
There are also some private/public tracks like the Queen Charlotte Track, Mt Somers Walkway and Old Ghost Road. These are on public land but run by a trust for the benefit of the local community.
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| The Queen Charlotte Track (QCT) is a public/private enterprise... |
Again these type of tracks can and often do require payment for use usually for track maintenance which is undertaken by the trusts.
We all have commitments we need to fulfill so the majority of us cannot wake up one morning and say "...I'm going tramping today..."
I do most of my tramping trips in the weekend, during public holidays or when I am on annual leave. Obviously if you are taking leave to go tramping you only have a limited number of days you can use so you need to think long and hard about when you will use them. You will need to ask the person who handles leave at your workplace for days off.
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| I went up the Travers Valley over Canterbury Anniversary weekend 2019 |
If you are going on Saturday or Sunday expect to see a lot of other people out doing the same thing as you. Maybe you should go to a lesser known location or tent rather than hut to avoid crowds. Public holidays can also be very busy outdoors especially long holidays like Easter and Christmas/New Years so plan accordingly.
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| Weekends normally mean busy huts...this is Homer Hut, Fiordland |
If you can you should think about going mid week...everyone is working, so you might even get a hut to yourself. Starting on a Friday or finishing on a Monday are also good options as there are also less people around.
Who will I go with?
Going solo, as a couple or with a group all of these have their own challenges and rewards when it comes to tramping trips so you need to know who you are going tramping with before you hit the trail.
I am usually tramping by myself which requires a great deal more self reliance and skill as you are totally responsible for making all the decisions. Going solo means you can tramp at your own pace and go where you want and when. It can be lonely sometimes and it means you have nobody to help you if you get into difficulties. You also have to carry everything which can make any tramp more difficulty. I enjoy solo tramping but it is not my preferred way to go.
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| Me out solo tramping in Nelson Lakes NP |
I also tramp with other people...friends, family and acquaintances. I have tramped with people I know and with people I have meet while on track. This is a good way to tramp...you can share the load (both in decision making and gear) and you have someone to share the experience with. This is my personal choice...I love tramping with a small group of people.
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| Karen often comes tramping with me...Woolshed Creek, Mt Somers |
I have previously belonged to tramping groups/clubs but I am not presently a member. Group tramping is awesome..lots of people to socialise with, experienced people to lead the trips, trips may be to locations you cant reach on your own (...Ivory Lake Hut..sigh..) you can share gear loads and decision making. The downsides...people can irritate you after awhile, group tramping can be quite rigid and you do not have the freedom to walk at your own pace.
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| I would love to visit Ivory Lake Hut but not by myself... |
Who you tramp with is up to you really...you need to chose a style that fits your requirements, skill level and temperament. I personally think every person should start out in a tramping group of one sort or another as it is the ideal introduction to the pursuit. After you have a few skills you can try venturing out in a smaller group or on your own.
Planning the detail of your chosen trip:
Now you know where you are going, when and with whom you can get down to the detailed planning...
Step 1: Research the trip:
The first step is to research the be-jesus out of the trip you are planning. You need to find out about: the difficulty of the track, hut & campsite availability, tide charts for tidal areas like the Abel Tasman NP, transport options, track safety hazards, historic weather patterns, car parking, accommodation requirements before/after the trip etc. etc.
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| DOC tide chart for Abel Tasman NP for summer 2019/2020 |
You need to know all of the relevant information BEFORE you head off to your destination so that you are walking the track on the right day, right month & in the right conditions. You can never do too much research.....and always remember the 6 P's: Prior Planing Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Also keep the
MSC Outdoor Safety Code in mind while planning:
Plan your trip
Tell someone your plans
Be aware of the weather
Know your limits
Take sufficient supplies
I will generally start my research on the DOC web-page about the particular tramping I will walk and also peruse any DOC brochures about that destination. Then I check other online sites like YouTube videos, route guides and books about that particular track. I will talk to other people about the track as you often get great information from fellow trampers that you will never find in a guidebook.
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| DOC brochures have good information... |
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| The DOC guide for walking the Rakuira Track |
Most of my information will come from the Internet but I do have an extensive personal collection of tramping books, magazines and other information. It also helps that I am a Librarian who works in a library full of books on outdoor recreation....massive job perks yeah!!!
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| One of the books from my personal tramping library... |
A book series I would recommend are
North Island Weekend Tramps by Shaun Barnett and
South Island Weekend Tramps by Nick Groves. These are excellent initial guide books with around 40 tramps in each book. Just walking these tracks could keep you occupied for several years. They are both out of print but most libraries will have a copy in their collection. There are a multitude of tramping guides so go to the library and see what they have.
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| An excellent source of tramping inspiration... |
You should also check out the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) guide to
planning a multi-day tramp. Once you have enough information about your chosen track you can start to book hut/tent spaces for that trip.
Step 2: Book any hut space/camp sites as require:
The next step is to book any hut/campsites you will use while on track.
The majority of huts are first come first served i.e: no booking required BUT make sure you check as there are variations across the different tracks. At these huts you just turn up and take whatever spaces are still free. You must take a tent with you and be prepared to sleep in it if the hut is full. You can camp around most hut sites provided there is space and there are no local restrictions on doing so.
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| A tent set up outside Ada Pass Hut, St James Walkway |
Other huts/campsites must be pre-booked during the summer season (October to March). Note that during the summer there will be DOC Rangers at bookable huts and they will charge you
double the price if you do not have a booking. All Great Walks require a booking during some or all of the year...these bookings tend to open for the new year in early-mid June.
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| Bookings are required over the summer at North Arm Hut. Rakuira |
A few huts require a booking at all times of the year due to their high use or to regulate numbers in that particular area. A good example of this is Rod Donald & Packhorse Hut on Te Ara Pataka which must be booked right through the year.
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| Packhorse Hut, Kaituna Saddle...bookings required 365 days of the year... |
Expect to pay from $0-$15 per hut night & $0-$20 per campsite dependent on hut designation. Children under 18 are free but still require a booking for those huts on the booking system.Note Great Walk Huts are a separate subject in their own right so see my post about
booking a Great Walk.
The best option is to buy a DOC Hut pass...these cost $90 for six months or $120 dollars for 12 months but are the cheapest option when it comes to paying for hut stays. I use my pass a lot...in 2019/2020 I used it over ten times which comes to something like $200 dollars for all the nights I stayed in a hut.
That is a real bargain!!!!
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| A DOC Backcountry Hut pass is an economical way to pay for huts... |
To book the huts you click on the link on the DOC page for the hut you want to stay at. You will need to set up an account with DOC if you do not have one, as the hut bookings are linked to it.
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| Click on the Book Online box to book a bunk in a hut... |
Go to the
new customer page, fill in the details and submit. Your account needs to be open for the hut booking to work.
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| DOC Hut booking: new customer page... |
Next fill in all the relevant information about number of nights (days on the track), number of people, start date, accommodation date and direction if required. Check your details, pay for your hut stay and woo-hoo...you are going to be staying in that hut.
You are a bloody legend!!!
Step 3: Organise transport to the track:
Some of these walks require you to book transport to the start/end of the track, different tracks will have different requirements. As part of your initial research make sure you check out all the transport requirements for your particular track.
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| On the Wanganui River Journey you need to hire a canoe or kayak |
A good example would be the Queen Charlotte Track which requires a water taxi to Ship Bay at the start of the track and from Anakiwa at the end of the tramp.
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| A water taxi is needed to access Ship Bay on the QCT... |
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| ...and also Anakiwa at the end of the QCT |
In the Abel Tasman National Park you need to take a watertaxi from Marahau/Kaiteriteri to Totaranui or from Totaranui to Marahau/Kaiteriteri depending on your direction of travel. This is needed for both the Coastal and Inland Track which both have Totoranui as one of their termini.
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| Aqua Taxi getting ready to leave Totaranui beach after dropping passengers |
Likewise it is a good idea to take a watertaxi to the far side of Lake Waikaremoana and walk back to your car. Most people approach Te Urewera National Park from Wairoa so this means a watertaxi from Onepoto to Hopuruahine Landing. That at least that is what I did when I walked the track back in the early 1990's.
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| Looking out over Lake Waikaremoana from the Panekiere Bluffs |
On many of the Southern Lakes and West Coast tracks you need shuttle carriage to the start/finish of the track unless you have someone who can transport you. Examples include the Hollyford, Greenstone-Caples, Rees-Dart, Mavora Lakes Route and Inland Pack Track in Paparoa NP.
Tracknet is one of the companies who transport trampers to the southern tracks but there are a number of others as well so check them out.
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| Tracknet shuttle at the Te Anau DOC office |
Look online for more information about transport companies, a good search term would be [track name + track transport] ie. [inland pack track punakaiki track transport]. Numerous services and companies will come up, compare for the best prices and schedule.
Step 5: Organise Transport: Getting to the trail towns:
How are you going to get to the track in the first place...will you drive, take a bus, fly or can someone drop you off. Usually you will need to start from one of the trail towns: Stratford, Turangi, Otaki, Punakaiki, Marahau/Kaiteriteri, Takaka, Hanmer, Arthur's Pass, Tekapo, St Arnaud, Queenstown & Te Anau are just some of them.
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| Pelorous Bridge is one gateway to Richmond Forest Park |
Personally I like to use public transport as much as possible...you can get a cheap Intercity bus fare from Christchurch to Te Anau for as little as $32 NZ dollars if you book in advance. This compares with over $150-$200 to drive my car to Te Anau one way. I'm saving money, saving the environment and I get to look at the nice scenery en route..!
BTW: I like to go have a pie n' pint at the pub right next to the Intercity stop in Gore. You stop there for 45 minutes, you are not driving and its right next to the bus stop. Seems a shame not to...just don't miss the bus.
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| Myfancy bus to Te Anau for the Milford Track...flash as bro!!! |
If you are going to Rakuira you need to either fly at $440 per person return or catch the Bluff to Oban ferry $150 return. Rakuira is 30 kilometres away from the South Island so there is no other way to get there. Once in Oban you are fine as everything is close together but if required there are even transport options on the island.
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| Oban...the only settlement on Rakuira/Stewart Island |
In my experience it is best to book any public transport early i.e. at the same time as the hut bookings so you can catch the best deals. If you wait you may find there are no services left or they will cost you your kidneys and lungs!
A quick note on parking your car...
If you are going to drive to the track end have you thought about where you will park? Most tracks have a parking area so it is worth investigating. Check out topographic maps, Google Earth (including street view), outdoor websites, online maps and photos to see what awaits you.
You will note I always show photos of the parking areas on this website as that was information I found hard to locate when I started tramping again. If I have been there you will find a photo on the trip report...
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| Car-park at the start of the Cockayne Nature Walk, Arthur's Pass NP |
Some track ends around the country have become the haunt of vandals and thieves so make sure you lock your vehicle and try to leave valuables at home. Do not park at places that are well known for these bastids as your car will get broken into...
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| When visiting the St James Walkway I park at the Boyle Outdoor Education Center |
Check to see if there is a more secure alternative nearby and protect your stuff. A lot of trail towns now offer secure parking to stop these attacks.
Step 6: Book accommodation if required: Hotels, motels and the YHA
So you have arranged transport to the trail town at the start of your Great Walk...do you need accommodation before or after you walk the track?
I don't know about your situation but Christchurch is a LOOOONGGGGGG way from some of these places; 600+ kms to Te Anau, 600+ kms to Takaka, 400km to Punakaiki/Hokitika, 500+kms to Marahau/Kaiteriteri. You are probably going to need to stay somewhere for at least one night.
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| Jon having a break in Murchison...half way between Christchurch and Motueka |
I find that the accommodation in trail towns will quickly fill up once hut bookings for the tracks open and over long weekends and school holidays.
I try to conserve money...I don't mind slumming it a bit if it will save me a lot of cash on accommodation. Look at campgrounds (they often have cheap cabins etc.), YHA hostels, eco-lodges, backpacker hostels, bookable bach's and motels. A modern hotel room is nice but is it $250 per night nice?
Generally booking direct will be cheaper than using Expedia/Trivago/Bookings Direct or a similar service but check and compare prices to get the best deal.
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| We stayed at this lovely eco-lodge in Holitika for less than $120 per night |
Some particulars...
I usually take the
Intercity Bus to Te Anau/Fiordland to tramp and I stay for two nights before starting..this gives me time to get there and organise myself pre-trip. For the Abel Tasman National Park I stay in Motueka...it is only 25 minutes from Marahau and there are more accommodation options there.
There are connections to all of the parks and tramping destinations in the Upper South Island (Kahurangi/Mt Owen/Cobb Reservoir/Abel Tasman/Richmond Range) from both Nelson and Takaka. The
Heaphey Bus is the best company but once again there are many operators so search for a good deal.
For Rakuira you should stay in Invercargill as it is larger (more accommodation/restaurants etc.) than Bluff and has the air-link to Oban based there. It is a 35 minute drive to Bluff if you are travelling on the ferry so factor that into your calculations.
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| Out for a stroll along the lakeside, Lake Te Anau, Te Anau township |
It is nice to have an extra day at the trail town at the start/end of your trip..hey this might be the only time you are there so why not give yourself enough time to check out the local sights.
Step 7: Start a training regime
If you are like me you will tend to do less physical activity over the winter and spring months...resist this and plan a proper training regime to keep your fitness up. Do lots of day walks up hills so you are in prime condition to complete that 9-11 day epic from St Arnaud to Lewis Pass in summer.
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| Mt Grey, North Canterbury is excellent training for a multi-day tramp.. |
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| Mt Herbert is a great training destination as well... |
I do fitness walks after work and in the weekends as often as possible and try to get out for a couple of tramps over the winter season although this is often curtailed by awful weather. Make sure you will be fit enough to comfortably complete the track.
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| Out walking the Travis Wetlands Track in mid Winter |
If you are going to attempt a difficult or mountainous tramp like the Rakuira Northern Circuit, Tararua Northern Circuit or the Travers-D'Urville-Lewis Pass route then get working hard
right now. These all have difficult terrain to cross and or extensive tops travel.
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| A lot of hill climbing on the Paparoa/Pike 29 Track |
Try to get out for a multi-day tramp a couple of weeks before those big missions to improve your fitness, check gear and iron out any problems you might encounter. Something like the 3-5 day St James is ideal as it is a reasonable distance with nice valley travel and some minor climbs.
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| The St James is a great conditioning tramp for harder missions... |
Do not overdue it as a training injury could ruin your season...but do train hard to walk easy....
Step 8: Organise your tramping gear:
The gear you take with you will vary greatly depending on the type of trip you are undertaking. A short day walk will not need as much gear as a big multiday trip. Packs for longer missions will have more food, fuel and clothing as well as tents & sleeping pads.
Try to limit weight! Do not over burden yourself with equipment you will not need but do take enough to keep you alive if the worst should happen.
The gear you carry breaks down into three distinct areas; clothing, equipment and food.
Clothing
Different trip types will require a different mix of clothing.You need to take clothing which is fit for purpose and will keep you warm, dry and comfortable. Just because it is a short day walk does not mean you can skimp on good quality rain gear and warm clothing.
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| Jacket and warm merino top on a cold morning, Milford Track in December |
We have an oceanic, temperate climate so rain, strong wind, snow, extreme cold and blistering heat are all possible during the summer tramping season. I have literally been walking in 30 degree heat in the morning and trudging through snow in the afternoon the weather can change that quickly.
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| The amount of gear I usually carry for an 3-7 day over night tramp.... |
A lot of this clothing will be useful on every type of tramp you do but you may need to change the quantity of clothing you carry. Long multi-day trips require changes of clothing such as socks and underwear unless you are prepared to wash and dry dirty clothes as required.
At a minimum you will need:
Shirts-long/short sleeved
Shorts and or pants
Socks and underwear
A insulation layer-down jacket or fleece
Wet weather gear
Spare socks and underwear
Spare thermal clothing
Sunhat
Warm hat and gloves
Check out my post about the
layered clothing system I use when out tramping.
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| ....the gear I carried on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track back in 2017 |
Always be prepared for all climatic eventualities and you will be fine:)
Equipment
If you are heading out over night then most of the equipment you carry will be standard. Sleeping kit, clothing, safety gear, electronics, cooking, food...stuff to keep you alive and happy.
DOC have a handy What to take on a Great Walk list, have a look at what they recommend.
Here are a couple of things to consider:
- Some huts have gas cookers provided over summer so you can leave the stove and gas canisters at home. Check for availability when planing your trip. Always take a cooking pot, spoon/spork/fork/knife, plate/bowl and a cup for putting your food into...they are not provided!
- if you are booked into huts every night you can leave the tent at home cutting some weight. Do take some form of light weight shelter with you as an emergency backup. A lite one person tent, bivy bag, tarp or survival bag are all good options.
- take a pack which is fit for purpose...choose the right size for your activity and try to minimise weight without compromising safety. Day walks will need a small 20-40 liter pack, overnights 35-60 liter and expeditions from 65-90 liters.
- track quality is usually better on a Great Walk or front country track so you might be able to wear walking shoes rather than boots. Again, check track conditions when planning your trip.
- most huts will have a toilet but not toilet paper. Check if you need to carry this precious material with you....
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| Clinton Hut, Milford Track: note the gas cookers provided on this track |
Food...fuel to keep you going!
You cannot buy food on most backcountry tracks..we are not that fancy here in New Zealand. You will need breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and snacks for each of the days you are walking. Make sure you take the right kind of food and enough to see you through to the end of the track. Take an extra days food in case you get stuck somewhere.
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| Four days of tramping food laid out for packing... |
Remember food is the fuel that keeps you moving when you are tramping. A couple of days of hard physical activity is not the time for your trendy keto diet....eat large & eat well to keep yourself going.
Here are a couple of other things to consider:
- Do take an extra days food as people often get stuck in huts due to weather or other natural hazzards. It is no fun facing a forced hut rest day if you are hungry...trust me I know! Dont overdue it though...a one serve freeze dried meal, some rice or flavored cous-cous will be fine.
- All food should be lightweight, compact, easy to prepare and wholesome...you need a mix of carbohydrates, protein, sugars, fats and oils for good health and energy.
- Don't take too much food...it is super heavy. A good average is between 500-750 gms of food per person/per day.
- keep hydrated....drink water often and in volume. Generally the water available in the huts and shelters can be used without treatment but I'm cautious so I always use chlorine tablets. I would rather drink weird tasting water than catch a bug. Fill your water bottle(s) every chance you get...
- don't forget to take tea, coffee, fruit juice powders etc. Drinking a lot of unflavored water gets tedious and its always nice to have a delicious brew when you get to the hut
- Alcohol is allowed in DOC huts but don't get carried away. The other people sharing the hut with you do not want to deal with your drunken antics. Red wine is good...a nice Merlot or Pinot Noir for me.
- if you can stomach them, freeze dried meals are custom made for tramping. Quick, light, tasty and easy to make. That said a big old greasy plate of bacon and eggs is delicious on the trail
If you require additional information have a look at my post about
food for a four day tramp, check the internet (lots of information) or look on the MSC and DOC websites.
General considerations when planning an outdoor trip...
Some tracks are dangerous out of season so only plan a trip at that time if you are a steely eyed, hard arsed bush pig with navigation knowledge, avalanche assessment abilities and fantastic bush craft skills. Im not joking....more than five people a year die tramping out of season...don't be
one of them!
Some Great Walks will quickly booked out, especially the Milford/Kepler/Routeburn tracks so you need to check on availability before arranging transport etc as the walk may be full on the days you want. Generally you want to be booking your Great Walk spots when they open for the new season in mid June. If you miss the booking dates for huts and campsites you can still walk sections of many of these walks as day trips. Do that!
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| Hut bookings for Milford Track, December 2019...yep its totally full! |
If you are walking the Abel Tasman Coastal Track take your swimwear AND a pair of footwear for the tidal crossings. The water is heavenly during the summer in the Abel Tasman...swim every day! There are a lot of tidal crossings on this track and that sand (while beautiful) is like walking across powdered glass as it is high in silica.
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| Totaranui Beach....beautiful but that sand is like powdered glass!!! |
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| Trampers on the tidal crossing at Torrent Bay, Abel Tasman Coastal Track |
I use a pair of $20 dollar knock off Croc's from the Wharehouse...cheap, light weight, fashion forward...they also make great hut shoes!
Step 10: Just before you go:
Firstly know your limits...don't pick a trip that is beyond your abilities, skills or fitness. Be realistic about how fit you are to undertake a particular track. Will you be able to cover the distance and are you up to climbing over a high mountain pass. I have fallen prey to this myself so I know how easy it is. Be prepared to change your plans and bail out if necessary.
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| Are you fit enough to cross that mountain pass? |
Tell someone your intentions...where you are going, when, any alternate tracks you will use and where they will take you. Give people a return date and time so they know when to call out the cavalry if you don't come back. Give it to a trusted friend, family member or person of authority. Make sure you ring them when you get home...SAR helicopters cost a lot of valuable money. They might be slightly irate if they find you drinking a beer in front of the TV after searching for you for a couple of days!
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| Fill in a MSC Intentions form and give it to a trusted friend.. |
Check the weather before you head out into the outdoors...make sure there are no massive storm fronts moving onto the country that might put you at risk. Our weather can be fickle but you can mitigate its effects by carefully planning opt out points or staying in a hut if the weather turns on you. I check the
MetService page for general information and
Ventusky for more in depth analysis.
Educate yourself to recognise weather changes as they develop so you can make informed choices.
Get walking.........
Cool...you have organised your tramp...now wait for that date, tell someone where you are going, check the weather, grab your gear and get walking that track....I hope you have a lot of fun!
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| Jon at the start of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, Totaranui Campground |
I might see you out there sometime...
