Lack of consultation on hut trial criticised

The 20-bed Siberia Hut west of the Makarora Valley will be part of a bookings trial this summer. Photo: DOC

Some back-country huts could cease to be "homes in the hills" if a trial booking system is adopted, the head of the Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) says.

Last week, the Department of Conservation announced it would trial a booking system for  the Siberia and Brewster huts in the Makarora Valley area, due to demand for  bunks outstripping supply in previous summers.

From December 1 until April 8, trampers who wanted to guarantee a bunk in one of the huts would need to book ahead, through Doc's website. The cost of staying in a hut had not changed.

FMC president Peter Wilson said Doc did  not consult trampers and climbers before it announced the trial. In other areas of the country, trampers and other users were usually consulted before booking systems were applied to huts, he  said.

Booking systems created a "class dynamic" between those who had booked and those who had not, which made huts feel more like private property, Mr Wilson said. Huts were supposed to feel like homes in the hills, he said.

"I am worried that it shows that the department places the interests of tourists above Kiwi trampers."

Siberia Hut would have a warden in residence  during the entire peak season while a warden would only  be based at Brewster Hut periodically.

Doc Central Otago operations manager Mike Tubbs said the only distinction between hut users would be that those who booked were guaranteed a bunk.

Last season, some trampers arrived at the huts  to find out they had missed out on a bunk,  Mr Trubbs said.

Because the booking system was a trial for the summer, Doc had not consulted other groups on the changes.

"What we do know is the huts have been oversubscribed and we don't believe having a booking system will create any sort of division or stop people from booking."

Trampers who found themselves caught out could still seek shelter in the huts, he said.

At this stage there were no other viable options available to help ease the demand on the huts.

A decision on whether the two huts would remain on the booking system would be made after the end of the summer season.
tim.miller@odt.co.nz