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Shelter

There are lots of options when it comes to finding a place to lay down your weary head.

"Come in, she said, I'll give you shelter from the storm." Bob Dylan

Huts

We are blessed with a widespread system of huts in the New Zealand back country. Most of these huts are publicly owned and available to all trampers. Most huts work on a first come first served system. However huts on "Great Walks" require you to book your bed in advance during the tourist season. Pre purchased tickets ($5NZ) or Annual Hut Passes ($90NZ) are required for some huts.

Bivvies (Bivs/Bivouacs)...

Beds:	2 - 4
Heating facilities:	Uncommon
Cooking facilities:	None
Water:	Often from nearby stream or lake
Toilet:	Sometimes a 'longdrop' (pit toilet)
Cost:	Free

Basic huts (category 3)...

Beds:	4 - 60
Heating facilities:	Some huts have wood/coal stoves
Cooking facilities:	Some huts have wood/coal stoves but they are often unsuitable for cooking on
Water:	Many huts have running cold water
Toilet:	Most have a 'longdrop' (pit toilet)
Cost:	$5 NZ (pre purchased hut tickets or Annual Hut Passes)

'Serviced' huts (category 1 or 2)...

Beds:	4 - 60
Heating facilities:	Usually a wood/coal/gas stove
Cooking facilities:	Some have gas burners
Water:	Cold running water, a select few have hot running water
Toilet:	'Longdrop' or occasionally flush toilet
Cost:	$10 - $50 NZ (pre purchased hut tickets, Annual Hut Passes or Great Walk Tickets)
Radio:	Some have HF or VHF radio communications

Tents

Tents are often carried in New Zealand to accommodate adventurers exploring off the beaten track. They are also very useful on busy tracks where the huts may be full.

Some points to remember using tents in New Zealand...

It can really RAIN here (4 inches have fallen outside today while I have been typing), never take a tent inner without the outer/fly!

Consider likely wind direction and site your tent to get the best shelter in case of strong winds

Beware of rising floodwaters invading your campsite or trapping you on an island. Don't pitch your tent right beside lakes, streams or rivers, look for old flood debris to gauge the high water level

Grassy or mossy hollows look comfortable but often fill with water. Hollows are also colder as they collect cold air overnight

Avoid pitching your tent beneath dead trees/branches or areas where rockfall or avalanche are likely

Kea can damage unguarded tents in some areas

Alway leave your tent snugly tied down, the door zipped shut and all loose items stored away in case of a change in weather

If you are leaving the tent unattended on a sunny day, loosen the guy ropes slightly to allow for the fabric shrinking in the heat. Likewise it is important to tighten the guy ropes if the weather becomes cool or wet as the fabric will sag

Check your campsite throughly before leaving to ensure you leave no trace

When snow camping...

Brush snow off clothing before entering tent

Keep a shovel or ice axe near the door

Knock heavy snow build up from the tent regularly, take care not to damage tent with shovels or sharp items

If you must keep any gear outside the tent, keep it organised and consolidated so it is not lost under new snow

Use buried objects (ices axes, crampons, a compression sack full of snow etc) as 'deadman' anchors if normal tent pegs do not work (make sure they are well tied and that you can find them again!)

The campsites pictured below are bad! The first tent site has been narrowly missed on either side by 2 avalanches and the second site is about to be flooded by a rising tarn (small mountain lake).

Tent site sited in an active avalanche area in Arthur's Pass National Park

A tent site flooded by rising lake levels during heavy rain, Fiordland National Park

Rock bivvys

Rock bivs are shelters using or modifying a natural boulder or rock overhang to keep out the weather. Some rock bivvys, like 'Phils Biv' in Fiordland National Park and the Grid-iron Bivs of Kahurangi National Park have sleeping benches, washing lines and in one case even stained glass windows. Others, often unamed, can be little more than a damp hollow under a boulder. They are all welcome in a storm and always memorable. Rock bivvys are usually only found in mountainous areas and where there has been glaciation.

Matt and Julie try a lump of greywacke for size

Some points to remember using rock bivvys...

Look for signs of water channels on the roof and floor and avoid sleeping near them

In bad weather you may need to improve the shelter and drainage of some bivs

When using some bivs it is wise to use a water resistant sleeping bag cover or bivvy bag

Animals may share your home with you, protect your food.

Few bivvys are marked on maps, though the good ones are usually mentioned in guidebooks

Ettiquette

Using huts and staying in campsites is the one time in the outdoors that you are likely to be spending time in close proximity to other parties. It is also the most important time to exercise some simple courtesy and ettiquette. Huts and campsites are great social places and one of the last places you can meet people from such a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a level setting, if you don't make a prat of yourself!

Hut and campsite ettiquette...

Remember when you arrive at a hut/campsite, for those already there it can seem like you are invading their space, be discreet
If someone arrives out of the rain or snow, offer them a hot drink
Keep the hut/area clean and tidy
If you keep the floor clean and dry you can walk about in your socks, so nice after a long day!
Noise can be very intrusive in the hills, keep your voices to an appropriate level
Make space for others when using beds, cooking benches, washing lines, tables etc
If you are hunting with a firearm, observe the safety precautions outlined in the Arms Code and make your rifle safe before arriving at the hut. Be prepared to demonstrate to anyone curious or concerned that your rifle is unloaded and safe.