Marking of tracks

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 16

Marking of tracks

j Sir,—l-would like jto ask the Arthur’s Pass National Park ' Board about the marking, of tracks in its area. I have recently tramped over Walker Pass,! up •from the Hawdon Hut. I was shocked at the state of the tract over trie pass and consider that in the interests of safety something should be done (to improve the situation. There is only ione marker pole over ’the whole saddle’, and the low alpine scrub is so dense that it is very easy to get "bushed.” This,’ combined with the overgrowth j of prickly Spaniard, made what shbuld have been an exhilarating, spectacular journey into a very slow, hard slog. I am concerned that the state of this track could lead to a dangerous situation if a reasonably rapid transit was required on this extremely popular route because of' deteriorating weather. — Yours, etc., i )i ' JOHN CROXFORD. H March 11, 1988. i ’ [“Arthur’s Pass National Park is managed according to the park ’ management plan. There 'are three categories of foot access, walks, tracks’ and routes. ’The Hawdon. to! Edward Valley Via Walker Pass and) Tarn Col is defined in the plan! as a route and not a track. Tracks are well defined for people !of average fitness. A route is not marked, or • lightly marked, for well-equipped and experienced trampers and more than normal |care is required in direction finding. Much bf the back-country') foot access in the park is of a route standard and, therefore, we) publish a series of detailed route guides to be used in conjunction with a map. These route guides give ’park users some idea of the type ;of country, conditions and time 'estimates. We welcome criticism land comments on both the access and these route guide notes (sb that details can be kept up to Mate.”] I)' ’ I I.