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Milford Track Winter Tramping During the Winter Season (May to October), the Milford Track Remains Open but with Reduced Facilities

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Milford Track Winter Tramping During the Winter Season (May to October), the Milford Track Remains Open but with Reduced Facilities Milford Track winter tramping During the winter season (May to October), the Milford Track remains open but with reduced facilities. Weather, track and avalanche conditions need to be carefully considered, so it is important to contact the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre before departure to check the current situation. Safety information Weather For current track conditions, please seek advice from During the winter months Fiordland can be very wet and cold. the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. Daylight is limited and the high mountains let little sunlight into the valleys. Alpine areas are usually covered in snow. You will need to be confident that you and your party Track conditions during this time can change daily, as can have the necessary skills, fitness and equipment for the weather. winter tramping. Navigation and alpine skills are essential for your survival. For more information about these visit www.mountainsafety.org.nz. When going into the Topo maps backcountry in winter, remember to leave details of your Topographical maps covering the Milford Track are strongly trip (return date and time, planned route, party names, recommended for navigation. NZTopo50 map CB08 – Homer vehicle details) with a responsible person. Intention forms Saddle is available for purchase from the Fiordland National are available from the Adventure Smart website Park Visitor Centre. www.adventuresmart.org.nz. Your safety and the decisions you make while on the Track information track are your responsibility. Know the outdoor safety Many of the bridges are removed over winter to avoid damage code. Check out www.doc.govt.nz/safety. from avalanches, so you must be competent at crossing large, It is strongly recommended that you take a personal swift, icy rivers. The track over Mackinnon Pass is not marked locator beacon with you. A mountain radio or two-way and is often covered in deep snow. You will need to have satellite communication are optional extras that can be navigation and alpine skills to traverse this section of the track.. taken for communication. Hut facilities Avalanches All huts have bunks, mattresses and a wood burner. The Milford Track is mainly complex avalanche terrain. During the winter season (May to October), the hut facilities Avalanches are frequent. There are over 57 avalanche are reduced. paths, which may bring avalanche debris to the valley floor. Some of these have the potential to cross the Milford Gas is not provided – you will need to bring your own Track – their start zones cannot be seen from the track. cooking stove. Flush toilets are replaced with pit toilets. If you are going into places avalanches could occur, be sure you: Running water is turned off inside the huts. Water can be obtained from the outside water tank; if this is frozen, then Have checked the Backcountry Avalanche Advisory at from the nearest water course or by melting snow. www.avalanche.net.nz/region/12 and the Avalanche Terrain Exposure scale system (ATES) for the area There are no rangers based at the huts. where you want to go. Have the skills for the ATES class you are going into. Have checked the DOC Track Alert at www.doc.govt. Contact nz/milfordtrack. The most current information is Te Rua-o-te-moko / Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre available from the DOC visitor centre nearest the area Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9600 where you want to go. Phone: 03 249 7924 Take an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a Email: [email protected] probe. Know how to use these tools! www.doc.govt.nz Hut tickets What to take Fees are charged per person per night and hut beds are on a You need to be totally self sufficient. Having the correct first come, first served basis only. All huts require a Serviced food, clothing and equipment is essential. Backcountry Hut Ticket, which must be purchased in advance. • Food – allow for at least • Torch Alternatively, a Backcountry Hut Pass (valid for 6 or 12 months) two extra days may be used. • Sunglasses • Warm and waterproof • Sunscreen clothing • First aid kit Transport • Warm sleeping bag • Personal locator beacon All transport must be arranged before starting the track. During • Survival blanket • Mountain radio or satellite winter transport operators require minimum numbers and do • Stove and gas for messenger (optional) not always operate a daily service. Transport arrangements can cooking • Avalanche safety/rescue be affected by bad weather. You must discuss an alternative • Lighter or matches equipment: avalanche option with transport operators before you begin your walk. • Ice axe beacon, snow shovel and • Crampons avalanche probe. • Toilet paper Left and below: Trampers make their way to the Mackinnon Pass. Photos: DOC Published by: Department of Conservation, PO Box 29, Te Anau 9640, New Zealand | April 2021 | R207700.
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