10-468: The Travers-Sabine Circuit is a popular tramping route in Nelson Lakes National Park , New Zealand. The full circuit takes about five to six days, although many side-trips are possible for longer tramps. The circuit involves both bush-walking and alpine passes. In bush areas, the tracks are well marked. Routes in alpine areas are marked with poles. In Summer and Autumn (December to April)
20-458: A bus to transport club members to the tracks. A network of tramping tracks has been developed throughout New Zealand of varying lengths and difficulties. A small number of tramping tracks cross private land either in part or in full. All of the major tramping tracks are on public land that is administered by the Department of Conservation . Among the best-known tracks are the ten Great Walks and
30-582: A local club and volunteers from clubs will perform much of the maintenance on these huts. In the Tararua Forest Park north of Wellington huts are managed in a partnership between DOC and various lower North Island clubs. In the eastern Southern Alps near Christchurch some huts are managed solely by the Canterbury Mountaineering Club and they rely on fees from these huts to help pay the cost of maintenance. Amongst experienced trampers there
40-462: Is a popular activity in New Zealand . Tramping is defined as a recreational activity involving walking over rough country. Trampers often carry a backpack and wet-weather gear, and may also carry equipment for cooking and sleeping. Alpine climbing has been a recreational activity from the early days of European settlement, and possibly earlier. From the 1950s tracks, huts and bridges were built in
50-474: Is a strong culture of looking after huts. The phrase "hut etiquette" encompasses looking after any hut that is used and showing consideration for other hut users. Most huts on the conservation estate are open to the public and the state of a hut depends on the care by those who use it. This environmental care code promoted by the Department of Conservation contains a 10-point checklist of things that can be done in
60-585: The circuit is accessible to anyone reasonably fit. During Winter and Spring (May to November), snowfall, especially in Alpine areas, make the route more technical, and appropriate skills, equipment and experience are needed. Some parts of the track are subject to flooding during heavy rain. No permits are required to walk the route, but trampers should register at the National Park headquarters. Basic huts are available for overnight accommodation at regular intervals on
70-436: The forested areas of New Zealand to support hunters culling introduced deer species which had become a threat to the biodiversity of New Zealand . As tramping became popular these facilities were increasingly used by trampers. In later years tramping has become popular for both local and foreign tourists. Tramping clubs were formed in many towns, cities and universities with regular trips being organised. The clubs sometimes own
80-428: The now defunct New Zealand Forest Service for deer culling operations. Other huts were built by alpine clubs, schools, and ski clubs. Some of the buildings on public land that are readily accessible by vehicle, are generally " baches " or "cribs" built by private individuals when control of the use of public land was less stringent. These baches are not made available to the public. Some public huts are associated with
90-719: The route, on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees are required for the huts, but there's no fee for the walk itself. In this itinerary, days 2 and 4 are half-day walks, and days 3 and 5 are less than full day. Experienced trampers can easily complete the circuit in five days. Also, an alternative to Days 5-6 is to return via Howard and Speargrass Valleys (quicker and easier in bad weather, but less interesting). 41°48′29″S 172°51′07″E / 41.808°S 172.852°E / -41.808; 172.852 Tramping in New Zealand Tramping , known elsewhere as backpacking , rambling , hill walking or bushwalking,
100-414: The ultra-long-distance Te Araroa . There is a network of more than 950 backcountry huts throughout New Zealand operated by the Department of Conservation (DOC) on public land. DOC operates a program of bookings, tickets, and passes to help fund the maintenance of these huts. Some areas have privately owned huts on public land used for commercial tourism operations. The majority of the huts were built by
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