Routeburn crowded’

Press, 30 December 1976, Page 13

Routeburn crowded’

PA Invercargill | i Overcrowding on the ’Routeburn Track has prompted the Fiordland and Mount! (Aspiring National Park Boards to form a committee :to study the problem. This holiday season has (brought the situation to a. I peak, both parks boards' 'appealing to people to usei Isome of the alternative! jtracks to ease pressure on’ ’the Routeburn. I There are two huts on both sides of the Routeburn, all! designed to house 20 holidaymakers. There is now an! average of 40 to 60 people] 'seeking shelter in them, not] only straining facilities, but damaging the environment From park board observe- ’ 'lions, two huts seem to be' l

Ithe centre of attention, and, are bearing much of the! brunt of the overcrowding —! the Routeburn Falls Hut and! the Howden Hut. “It has ’ always been a I problem.” said a spokesman; tor the Fiordland Park ] Board. ‘‘Large numbers of! people are creating a big im-i pact on the surroundings of I the track with their tents,! land fireplaces, and by cutting! ! firewood.” The Mount Aspiring chief I ranger, Mr R. W. Cleland.! agreed that the problem was, j getting worse. “We will be asking people! to make more use of other’! iareas.” he said. Among those Mr Cleland I suggested were the foir -dav (excursion trip in the Dart]Re?s area. >ir the easiei I Greenstone track.

, The great amount of publi- ] ]city being given to the Route-: burn Track is becoming its I ’downfall, it appears, it is well] ’known as the “pressure area"] ]of the park because publicity : I campaigns are always aimed! ’at it, ignoring the other ; (tracks both parks provide ! (The Routeburn Track is al-] [ways the one overseas visi-1 j tors get to know about. Recognising the problem! lof congestion, both parks ] [boards have got together ml [a joint committee. No solution, apart from trying to; (attract people away from the I ‘track, has been reached, but 'he investigation will continue. People are being advised to carrv tents if they intend walking the Routeburn Track.