For a safe and complete experience on you day walk, hike or mountain climb I would recommend a guide such as www.homeinthehills.co.nz.
Arthur's Pass may be different to other areas where you have gone hiking in NZ. Our walks tend to be rougher and the tracks less modified. Some routes have no formal track at all and you need to find your own way.
If you aren't confident about NZ hiking please read the information that the DOC Visitor Centre has available and get to know the way Kiwis tramp! IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO GO TO THE DOC / VISITORS CENTRE FOR THE LATEST TRACK AND WEATHER INFORMATION.
If you are going above the bush line on a day walk, it's a good idea to complete an intentions card. If something goes wrong and nobody knows where you are, you aren't going to get any help! The same applies to multi-day tramps. DON'T forget to sign back out Searching involves lots of effort and money. We don't want to be searching for somebody who has forgotten to sign out!
HIKING ABOVE THE BUSH LINE
TAKE WARM CLOTHING
Your warm clothing option should be something that is warm when wet i.e. wool or fleece. Cotton is no good. It isn't warm in high wind and it is very cold when it gets wet. A rain jacket is a "must have" item even if it looks like a fine day. WEATHER CHANGES FAST HERE. Rain trousers are a good idea as well. Always bear in mind what you might need to SURVIVE OVERNIGHT, should you get lost or injured. Search and rescue never gets activated until the following day.
TAKE WATER
In summer you might need 1.5 to 3 litres of water for drinking when going to the top of local peaks.
ASK ADVICE! The locals have valuable information on most tracks.
TAKE ROUTE INFORMATION AND/OR MAP
It can be a good idea to have a topo (1:50,000) map with you and have an idea how to use it. If you aren't confident in the mountains READ THE ROUTE GUIDE for the walk you are doing. The same applies to multi-day tramping.
MAKE GOOD DECISIONS
Don't be afraid to turn around if you are feeling out of your depth! There's no rule that says you have to go to the top. Very often the last couple of hundred metres before the top are the most challenging and exposed part of the walk.
RIVER CROSSINGS
Some hiking may involve frequent crossing of rivers or streams. BE AWARE! These water ways can rise very rapidly. DON'T under estimate the power of a river, especially a river in flood. Most times, there are no bridges are available. You may need to turn around. Better to survive and hike another day!
LET SOMEONE KNOW!
Make sure you use hut books and intentions cards. These are great clues for searchers should somebody need to find you (or confirm that you are out should you forget to sign out your intentions card).
We don't want to put you off walking, but we do want you to survive!
