Tracks & walks

In this section:

Plan & prepare

Safety & track closure information

Safety

Your safety and the decisions you make are your responsibility. The information provided below is designed to help you make those decisions but is not all inclusive. Only you know how fit you are and whether you have the appropriate skills to handle any given situation.

There is no mobile phone coverage on the Routeburn 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 online and gives practical advice about 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

Harris Bluffs. Photo: Sue Scott.
Harris Bluffs

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

details of which huts or campsites 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 at each location 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 Routeburn 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.

Flood areas

After heavy rain flooding is possible in the Routeburn Valley. Stream and river levels often drop rapidly once rain stops. If you are caught between streams which are in flood, seek higher ground and wait for water levels to drop.

Slips

The area halfway between Routeburn Flats and Routeburn Falls Huts is prone to slips after heavy rain. Care is required when traversing this area. If in doubt, do not proceed.

Avalanches

Thirty-two avalanche paths cross the track between Routeburn Falls hut and the Earland Falls.

Avalanches can occur at any time but are most common during or directly after snow and rain and 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 often cannot be seen from the track.
Do not walk below other walkers.

Cold, wet and windy conditions can
cause hypothermia

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.

Travel along the alpine section, from Routeburn Falls to Lake Mackenzie (11km) can be affected by strong winds. Wind gusts over 80 km per hour are possible and will greatly increase the wind-chill factor on cooler days.

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

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 patient water (water is not always available on the Routeburn Track and should be carried between huts).

Lost

The Routeburn 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.

Fires

Fire is a major threat within Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks. Open fires are only permitted in the designated campfire sites.

Track closures

At times avalanche danger, heavy rain, flooding and/or high winds may cause certain parts of the track to become impassable. In these cases the Department of Conservation may choose to close parts or the entire track.

Walkers due to start on 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 of the hazard or weather conditions as soon as possible by DOC staff. If the track has to be closed, walkers will be informed of their options. These could include having to spend an extra night on the track, returning via the direction already walked, or being helicoptered over a hazard area.

Please refer to the cancellation policy in the Terms and Conditions section of this brochure, on confirmation letters, or on the Online Booking system pages.

During the Off Peak/Winter Season walkers must be totally self sufficient. It is strongly recommended that walkers should carry a mountain radio and/or personal locator beacon.