The build-up to the tramping season is a busy time for the Department of Conservation. As well as ensuring all tracks are clear, bridges are in place and signs are updated, it also has to resupply all huts along the Routeburn, Greenstone Caples and Rees-Dart tracks. Queenstown reporter Louise Scott joins Doc staffers on one of their operations.
It is 8.30am at the Department of Conservation Glenorchy field base.
Doc ranger Will McBeth briefs his five fellow team members as they prepare to resupply the Rees-Dart Track.
It is going to be a busy day.
Two Toyota Hiluxes, each towing trailers
brimful of supplies, make their way across Muddy Creek, a particularly aggressive strip of water, to a parking area at Arthurs Creek.
The first task, the biggest of the day, is to reinstate the Upper Snowy Bridge, halfway between the Rees Saddle and the Dart Hut.
The solid-span bridge has to be positioned by helicopter on man-made concrete footings on each side of the creek's banks.
Given the Upper Snowy Creek can quickly become hazardous to cross on foot, this phase requires the most planning.
The first crew is dropped at the landing site before the second team hooks up the bridge, which has spent the winter on a ledge beside Dart Hut.
It is removed each season to avoid being destroyed by avalanches. McBeth says delaying the bridge set-up is a safety measure.
"If you put it in too early you can put people at risk because they assume it is safe to walk. The Rees-Dart Track is higher than other tramping routes and we often have to wait until snow clears.''
Weather conditions are good and the chopper lowers the bridge to two crew below, ready to secure it with metal bolts.
However, as the operation nears completion, one of the bolts drops into the river and Doc staffer Michel de Boulay has to brave the water to retrieve it.
Although this is the most challenging element, it isn't the only thing on the agenda today.
McBeth isn't sure the public, or those using the tracks, appreciate how much work goes into ensuring they are ready for tramping season.
There is a lot of paperwork and plenty of behind-the-scene jobs, including seemingly simple
tasks such as making sure there are toilet rolls and washing-up liquid for those using the facilities.
Also on his shopping list: coal, lpg, tools, rubber gloves and food supplies for wardens, all of which has to be flown in by helicopter, adding to the cost of the operation.
(There was a total of 13 flights while the Otago Daily Times was in tow.)
The return flights are used to take out ashes, recycling from the warden's kitchen and canisters full of sewage.
(Last year, the crew flew out 6400 litres of sewage from the Routeburn Track; for the Routeburn Track this happens annually, while the Greenstone Caples and Rees-Dart tracks only need emptying every other year.)
"The reality is trampers expect to find flush toilets and that is how we sell these serviced huts,'' McBeth says.
"It works pretty much like it would on an average farm. It all goes into a septic tank and this needs to be pumped out and taken away.
"It's a pretty hands-on job,'' he jokes.
On top of this, his team carries out maintenance work on each hut.
This includes putting in new fire extinguishers but could also include repairs to the water system or a window latch that has snapped.
Signs are also checked; this year McBeth added new avalanche warning signs to ensure trampers are aware of the dangers.
After the supplies are unloaded, the crew splits into two, one group continuing with the resupply, while the other embarks on track checks.
A team of four spends three nights clearing the route of any debris and ensuring all markers are in place and secured.
This process varies depending on winter conditions. For example, high levels of snow and wind mean there are more felled trees to deal with.
It's described as a tough job as crew members have to carry in chainsaws, petrol and tools on top of their own gear.
Still, the checks are vital and ensure the track is safe for trampers.
McBeth says it can be frustrating to hear some trampers complain about the cost of staying in Doc huts.
"We aren't asking for a lot of money and I don't think people realise how much it costs for us to get everything ready for the season, not just the resupply, but the man-hours getting the track ready and getting our wardens in situ.
"Logistically, this is our biggest operation of the year.
"Sometimes, I've been left shaking my head as a number of tourists have arrived and expected a bar or looked around aimlessly to try and find a light switch.''
After a spot of lunch, we are back in the air, heading to other Doc huts along the Rees-Dart Track.
These are usually hidden from sight, obscured by trees, and provide temporary accommodation for track staff, goat hunters and biodiversity crews who monitor bird life. Jumping out of the helicopter, McBeth checks equipment, swaps fire extinguishers and unloads pest boxes.
(Doc continually monitors the number of rats, possums and stoats in the area.)
Back on the helicopter, we make one more stop before returning to Arthurs Creek, where all the rubbish is loaded on to trucks ready to be taken back to headquarters. McBeth then checks in with the Queenstown office, saying all the crew are back at the Glenorchy base.
Asked if he is happy with the operation, he smiles:
"Yeah, I'm just happy the weather played ball today.
"It isn't fun when you are trying to unload toilet paper and it gets wet.''
- Louise Scott
