• Size of your group?
• Experience and fitness of your group?
• Weather and time of year?
• Transport (to and from your adventures)?
• Permission (if you plan to cross private land)?
• Accomodation (where will you stay)?
• Food (include extra in case you are delayed)?
• Equiment (make a list)?
• Information on the area (maps, guidebooks, talking to locals)?
• Route plan (a detailed plan of your route)?
• Intentions (leave your intentions with someone who can get help if you are overdue)?
• Emergency plan (how will you deal with any likely emergencies)?

Size of your group?
Large groups mean that you have more people to help you in an emergency, but it is harder to keep track of everyone during long walks. If your group is large you will need to consider the possibility that you won't all fit in small or busy huts. Small groups have greater flexibility and it is usually easier to make decisions. Small groups also have a smaller environmental and social footprint, large groups generate more damage tramping and camping in fragile areas and often intimidate and fustrate other backcountry users. If planning to travel alone be extra sure to let someone know your intentions, and consider carrying an emergency beacon, in case you become lost or injured. Back to top of page

Experience and fitness of your group?
Is everyone in your group fit enough for your planned adventure? How experienced are they, will some people need a buddy to help them out? If your group only has one experienced person, do the others know what to do if the experienced person becomes lost or injured? Over-estimating your experience and skill is a common trap in the outdoors, be conservative. Back to top of page

Weather and time of year?
What weather should you expect for the time of year you are planning your adventures? It is a good idea to watch weather forecasts for the place you are visiting for a couple of weeks before you get there so that you have a better understanding of local weather patterns. Check out our Links page for some useful weather sites. Another important point to consider is the amount of available daylight. The days are much shorter in winter meaning less distance can be covered each day, and shelter must be sought earlier to avoid being caught by darkness. Back to top of page

Transport?
Are you going to need a pick up at the end of your journey or are you walking a loop trail? If using your own or a rental vehicle, is there somewhere safe to park it while you are tramping? Check with local backpackers and hostels as some can provide secure parking and a drop off at the track start. If you are getting picked up, have you allocated enough time to walk to the pick up point on the last day? If you have to change your plans do you have a way of contacting the transport company to let them know? Back to top of page

Permission?
Legally you must have the owner's (or their representative's) permission to enter or cross private land. Most landowners are very reasonable and if they say no, it will be for a good reason. It is important for your sake, and those who follow, to be courteous and polite when dealing with private landowners. Contact them early to seek permission, so that a 'no' won't stall your plans at the last minute. Always go where you said you were going to go and make sure on farms that you avoid disturbing animals and leave gates as you find them. Back to top of page

Accommodation?
Most popular tramping tracks are blessed with huts but this is not always the case. Huts are generally publicly owned and managed by the Department of Conservation, though in some areas there are club owned huts that are available for public use also. Most huts attract a small fee or require you to carry hut tickets/back country hut passes. See Hiking Shelter for more details on huts. Make sure you know what accommodation is available before setting off on your journey as New Zealand's back country climate is not suitable for sleeping 'rough'. Back to top of page

Food?
Mmmmm, food! A good variety of suitable hiking food is available at reasonable prices at any medium sized town. Smaller towns however will often have a limited selection and higher prices. Unlike Europe, you cannot buy food or meals at backcountry huts, don't get caught out! On most trails you will also need to carry a gas or fuel cooker. Few huts have cooking facilities. Also do not rely on fires for cooking as firewood is not always available, fires may be banned or it may be too wet. It is always advisable to carry enough food to survive an extra two or three days in case you are delayed by bad weather or flooded rivers. Spare food need not weigh you down, just carry enough dry food and lightweight snacks to comfortably get you though an emergency. Back to top of page

Equipment?
Make a clothing and equipment list and check it off as you are packing to ensure nothing is left behind. See Hiking Equipment and Clothing for sample lists. Make sure you carry clothing and equipment to handle the worst weather and conditions that might be encountered. New Zealand's weather is very changeable and difficult to predict, don't take chances on having nice weather! Some items, like your gas cooker, can be shared amongst your group if trekking together, but make sure someone is responsible for ensuring these items are not forgotten. Back to top of page

Information on the area?
Study the areas you will be visiting. Useful information to glean includes the likely weather, the nature of the trails, available accommodation, is permission required from landowners, how busy it the trail likely to be, are the rivers bridged and where to obtain help in a emergency.

Regional information is available from the extensive nationwide network of   ' i site' tourist information centres. ' i sites' can also help you with domestic travel and accommodation bookings. For more specific information and advice on trails and backcountry areas contact the Department of Conservation (DOC). DOC manages national and conservation parks and also has an extensive nationwide network of 'visitor centres'. Back to top of page

Route Plan?
Sit down with a map and possibly a guidebook and begin mentally walking through your route, noting hazards, challenges and points of interest as you go. If you wish you can commit this information to paper, or share it with another party member. If the route is not on a well marked track, you can note landmarks and features that will help you to navigate. It is handy to estimate travel times from the map too, that way you can work out how far to travel per day, and also when to leave by each morning in order to reach camp well before dark. Average speeds (will obviously vary with fitness and experience) are 0.5-1km/hour off track in bush, 1-2km/hour on a rough track and 3-5km/hour on a good track. A tramping party can gain around 300 metres of altitude per hour, and will descend between 300-600 metres per hour depending on the track and peoples knees! Back to top of page

Intentions?
Always leave details of you intentions with someone responsible before venturing into the backcountry. Include you planned route, any alternative routes you may choose, names and nationalities of party members, contact phone numbers and the date you would like action to begin if you are overdue. Some Department of Conservation visitor centres maintain a sign-in system to help you with this. Alternatively if you are travelling independently you may be able to leave details with the manager of the motel, hostel or backpackers you are staying at. Make sure that this person knows to raise the alarm with the police if you do not come back by an agreed date and time. Don't forget to let this person know when you end your trip safely to ensure they do not start a needless search! This simple precaution saves many lives every year. Back to top of page

Emergency plan?
Keep it simple. Make sure all members of your group know the details of your planned route and what to do in an emergency. Important points to note are who to contact in an emergency, where shelter might be found and who is carrying a first aid kit. Back to top of page