Safety & track closure

The Milford Track in snow

Safety
Intentions/trip plan
Injury or illness
Flood areas
High winds
Avalanches
Hypothermia
Heat exhaustion
Lost
Fires
Track closures

Safety

Your safety and the decisions you make are your responsibility. The information provided below will assist you to make those decisions but it is not all inclusive. Only you know how fit you are, and whether you have the appropriate skills to handle a situation if conditions are not the best.

There is no cell phone coverage on the Milford Track. Personal locator beacons and mountain radios are strongly recommended during the winter season.

The Department of Conservation brochure “Planning a trip in the backcountry?” is available free of charge from DOC offices or on the website. It gives practical advice travelling in the New Zealand bush.

The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council also produce some excellent brochures, available free, about safety in the New Zealand bush, i.e., “Going Bush?”, “Survival” and “Avalanches”. Visit their website – www.mountainsafety.org.nz

Intentions/trip plan

Day two on the Milford Track

It is recommended that everyone leaves a written intention of their trip with a responsible friend, relative or at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. Intentions or trip plans should include:

• details of which huts you intend to stay at
• the route you intend to take to get there
• where and when you will finish the track
• how you are getting to and from the track, including where your car will be parked or the transport company you intended to use
• what the person holding your intentions/trip plan form should do if you do not return by due date.

Walkers should sign the hut books each night and, on their return, contact the person they left their intentions with to confirm they are back safely.

Injury or illness

If an injury or illness occurs while walking the Milford Track during the Great Walks Peak Season, walkers should contact Department of Conservation staff . They may be able to arrange an emergency evacuation from the track if required. First aid kits should be carried by all walkers.

During the off-peak/winter season, a mountain radio and personal locator beacon should be carried by each group.

Milford Track after heavy rain 

Flood areas

After heavy rain flooding is common in several areas on the track, particularly between Hirere and Bus Stop in the Clinton Valley and between Boat Shed and Poseidon Creek in the Arthur Valley. Stream and river levels will drop rapidly once rain stops. If you are caught between flooded streams seek higher ground and wait for water levels to drop.

High winds

Strong winds are possible in exposed areas on Mackinnon Pass and during the descent to Arthur Valley.

Avalanches

Fifty six avalanche paths cross the Milford Track between 6 Mile in the Clinton Valley and Quintin Hut, in the Arthur Valley.

• Avalanches can occur at any time but are most common during or directly after snow and rain, and especially from late August to early November.
• Avalanche and snow hazard can change rapidly from low to high within a 24 hour period.
• Start zones of avalanche paths cannot be seen from track due to steep sides of valleys.
• Do not walk below other walkers.

Hypothermia

During cold, wet and windy conditions, hypothermia (drop in core body temperature) can become a serious problem. Any of the following factors can led to hypothermia – wet clothing, wind chill, lack of food, fatigue, injury, anxiety or recent illness. A person in the early stages of hypothermia may be shivering, clumsy, confused, have slurred speech, and may deny they have a problem. From initial stages to unconsciousness can take as little as 30 minutes. To treat hypothermia you should immediately make or find shelter, get the person into dry, warm clothing, put into sleeping bag, give warm, sweet drinks, monitor and seek immediate medical help.

The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council produce a brochure on hypothermia.

Arthur River

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is usually caused by warm temperatures and dehydration. A person with early stages of heat exhaustion may show weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite and sweating.

To treat heat exhaustion, find a cool place to rest and give the victim water (it is advisable to carry water between huts on the Milford Track).

Lost

The Milford Track is well marked but if you become lost stop, find shelter and stay calm. Put on extra clothing and assist rescuers should you hear them searching for you. Please record your name in the hut book at each hut.

Fires

Fire is a major threat within Fiordland National Park and open fires are not permitted.

Track closures

The shelter on Mackinnon Pass

At times, avalanche danger (especially from August to November), flooding and high winds (which can occur at any time) may cause parts of the Milford Track to become impassable. In these cases the Department of Conservation may choose to close part or all of the track.

Walkers due to start the track may be unable to proceed. If this is the case, a full refund will be given.

Walkers already on the track will be notified by DOC staff, located at each hut, of the hazard or weather conditions as soon as possible. If the track has to be closed, walkers will be informed of their options. These could include spending an extra night at a hut, returning via the direction already walked, or being flown by helicopter over a hazard area.

Please refer to the cancellation policy in the ‘Terms and Conditions’ list included in your confirmation letter, or the online booking system pages.

During Off Peak/Winter Season walkers must be totally self sufficient. It is strongly recommended to carry a mountain radio and/or personal locator beacon (PLB). Intentions of your trip, including transport to and from the track, should be left with a responsible friend or relative, or at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau.

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