Hiking in the South Island - New Zealand's South Island - page 58

RESPONSIBLE TRAMPING
If you went straight from the cradle into a pair of hiking boots, some of these tramping tips will seem obvious;
others you mightn't have considered. Online, www.lnt.org is a great resource for low-impact tramping, and DOC
( www.camping.org.nz ) has plenty more responsible camping tips. When in doubt, ask DOC or i-SITE staff.
» Time your tramp to avoid peak season: less people equals less stress on the environment and fewer snorers in
the huts.
» Carry out all your rubbish. Burying rubbish disturbs soil and vegetation, encourages erosion, and animals will
probably dig it up anyway.
» Don't use detergents, shampoo or toothpaste in or near watercourses (even if they're biodegradable).
» Use lightweight kerosene, alcohol or Shellite (white gas) stoves for cooking; avoid disposable butane gas canis-
ters.
» Where there's a toilet, use it. Where there isn't one, dig a hole and bury your by-product (at least 15cm deep,
100m from any watercourse).
» If a track passes through a muddy patch, just plough straight on through − skirting around the outside increases
the size of the bog.
» Wash your dishes 50m from watercourses; use a scourer, sand or snow instead of detergent.
» If you really need to scrub your bod, use biodegradable soap and a bucket, at least 50m from any watercourse.
Spread the waste water around widely to help the soil filter it.
» If open fires are allowed, use only dead, fallen wood in existing fireplaces. Leave any extra wood for the next
happy camper.
» Keep food out of reach of scavengers by tying storage bags to rafters or trees.
» Feeding wildlife can lead to unbalanced populations, diseases and animals becoming dependent on handouts.
Keep your dried apricots to yourself.
Conservation Campsites
Aside from Great Walk campsites, DOC also manages 250-plus 'Conservation Campsites'
(often vehicle-accessible) with categories as follows:
» Basic Campsites Basic toilets and fresh water; free on a first-come, first-served basis.
» Standard Campsites Toilets and water supply, and perhaps barbecues and picnic tables; $6 on a first-come, first-
served basis.
» Scenic Campsites High-use coastal sites with toilets and tap water, and sometimes barbeques, fireplaces, cooking
shelters, showers, picnic tables and rubbish bins. Fees are $10 per night.
» Serviced Campsites Full facilities: flush toilets, tap water, showers and picnic tables. They may also have barbecues,
a kitchen and a laundry; $15 per night.
Note that bookings are necessary for all Serviced Campsites, plus some Scenic and Stand-
ard Campsites in peak season (October to April).