Hut intentions book can save lives

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 387, 21 May 1991, Page 2

Hut intentions book can save lives

'Sign the hut intention book ' is the advice being strongly recommended by the Department of Conservation staff at the Tongariro/Taupo Conservancy .Hunters and trampers who do not give details of their intentions while in the Tongariro National Park and Kaimanawa Forest Park could be endangering their own lives and those of search and rescue personnel. "If someone is reported overdue from a tramping or hunting trip, the first thing searchers do is check the hut book at the hut where that person is thought to have been

headed," said Cam Speedy, Senior Conservation Officer. "If the missing person has filled in the details of where he or she intends to go, the search area is considerably reduced- otherwise we could be searching 30,000 hectares for one person." Weather conditions can cause a hunter or tramper to change his or her original plans. The importance of writing this in the hut book cannot be stressed enough said Mr Speedy. "Wc had a recent incident in the Kaimanawas when a hunter was over-

due. Because he had written his intentions in the book at cascade hut he was found quickly," said Mr Speedy. DoC

advises people to sign the intention book at huts even if they are only passing by. Intention books are held

at all field centres in the Conservancy and DoC are investigating putting intention books at road ends.