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Routeburn

PostPosted: Wed 19 Oct, 2016 7:59 pm
by ErichFromm
Scheduled to do routeburn in a week. Trying to get some guidance on clothing to bring. Forecast is for quite cold 0 degree so assuming i should pack for snow conditions, down jackets, gloves etc? Have not done the cabin thing before so unsure how that changes requirements... apparently there has been an avalanche too so need to get a heli over harris pass....

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Thu 20 Oct, 2016 7:15 am
by wayno
At Present the ROUTEBURN IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE on the glenorchy side due to track and bridge damage
read the alerts

http://www.doc.govt.nz/routeburntrack

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Thu 20 Oct, 2016 7:17 am
by wayno
note the windchill in the forecasts.
theres no heating in the hut bunk rooms, the dampness increases heat loss.

http://www.metservice.com/mountain/fior ... ional-park

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Thu 20 Oct, 2016 7:21 am
by wayno
be quick in deciding if you want a refund, normally the later you wait the less refund you get, last minute cancellations may get no refund. email the visitor centre to find out what sort of refind there will be if the track remains closed, they may allow a bigger refund in those conditions

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Fri 21 Oct, 2016 11:54 am
by ErichFromm
Thanks wayne. they are offering a helicopter to get past the avalanche....

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Fri 21 Oct, 2016 11:58 am
by wayno
i dont think the track is even open to walking, its not juset the avalanches that are a problem, its all the windfall and one of the bridges is unsafe

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Fri 21 Oct, 2016 12:09 pm
by ErichFromm
Thanks wayno - we'll check details... parks have advised options but full closure was not mentioned

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Fri 21 Oct, 2016 12:14 pm
by wayno
the main season has yet to begin, the track falls into disrepair over winter, I think there was a recent storm that did a lot of the recent damage that wasnt picked up until now. and they'e been left scrambling to get it repaired. the bridge damage could be a lengthy repair. they are solid bridges, it takes a fair bit of a knock to damage them

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Fri 21 Oct, 2016 1:12 pm
by ErichFromm
Parks came back: reopening sat, track currently being cleared and heli still only way to clear harris pass

Re: Routeburn

PostPosted: Fri 21 Oct, 2016 1:14 pm
by wayno
just in time for labour weekend....