Tongariro Crossing may see stricter control

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 440, 16 June 1992, Page 3

Tongariro Crossing may see stricter control

The Tongariro Crossing track should not become part of the proposed premier track, or "Great Tracks" system. That is the view of the Tongariro - Taupo Conservation Board, who discussed the matter at their meeting last week. "The Conservation Board do not believe that it is appropriate to introduce the system to the Tongariro Northern Circuit at the present time," said a press statement from the board. "The issues of track and hut over-use should be dealt with in consultation with the public through the Conservation Management Strategy process," the board felt. But DoC officer Paul Dale supports the system. He said last Friday the system would involve marketing the track in such a way as to avoid the over-use problems and would allow for management to cope with the increasing numbers of people using it. "We want to avoid the high-use problems experienced on some of the South Island tracks, like the Routeburn where people' s

main objective each day is to bolt to the next hut to make sure they get a bunk." He said 23,000 people were now using the Tongariro Crossing, or Northern Circuit and with a huge increase in overseas tourists expected, that number would grow. He said the board was not impressed with the way the decision was made nationally, without consulting them. "They felt they were left out of the process." The Great Tracks system would see DoC charging $14 per night, high season per adult, for the Ketetahi, Mangatepopo, Oturere and Waihohonu huts. Campers would have to use designated camp areas next to huts, and pay $6. Tieke ts would have to be paid for in advance. "Critics are saying we're doing it as a money-making exercise but that is not really , the case. It will cost us more than we will take in. It's a way of managing the use of the tracks and huts." The huts would be upgraded, with heating, cooking (LPG), better water supplies, and

separate clothes, people and dish-washing facilities. "The next stage could be a booking system similar to Milford," said Mr Dale. "That's not official, but I think it's probable." "We've got to get ahead of the problem and manage the system for the increasing popularity before it happens." He said there were special problems with people camping any where they wanted to in the area because, in the sub-alpine environment, rubbish and human waste don't decompose and remained for the next person. "It congregates and creates big problems." Mr Dale said a one-way system could help overcome the problems of numbers, similar to some South Island tracks. "On a busy track people passing people is often perceived as a problem." "If you've been hiking all day in a blizzard but seen no-one, you often feel elated because you've faced a challenge. But if you passed 200 people going the opposite way in the same conditions, that perception of overcoming a challenge is gone."