This Map Made Me Sad

This map made me sad when I saw it this weekend.


I love tramping, I love the mountains and my hope is that the next generation will be able to explore our backcountry like I’ve been able to do.

This is a map of those backcountry huts that are deemed ‘poor condition and possibly closeable’ by the Department of Conservation (DOC) due to the underinvestment in its visitor facilities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Understandibly, thee network of huts is huge and some might need a bit more TLC than others. Over 900 of these dwellings span the country, but according to the Stuff article on Sunday, there are over two-thirds of these in moderate to very poor condition. So it seems that some work needs to be done to keep them alive.

I’m yet to see the descriptor of what these different conditions mean, but I have seen some of the ones on the map, and to me they are just classic huts with a lots of support from the local advocacy groups like the FMC and beyond.

Some of my favourites are listed in the 37 classed “poor condition – consider removal” including Barker Hut – nestled amongst the rocks at the foot of the White Glacier near Mt Murchison (Arthur’s Pass National Park). Such a loss to the mountaineering community if this one does go. To me they are just classic huts – a bit rusty around the edges but 100% what you expect from a shelter from the conditions in the middle of a mountain range.

My hope is that these huts get the support they need and get explored for many years to come.

One way is to support the FMC here: https://fmc.org.nz/what-we-do/campaigns/love-our-huts-and-tracks/

…but if there are other ways, please do share ♻