Safety-moves-for-Tongariro-Crossing

[wayno]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/new-zealand/7016234/Safety-moves-for-Tongariro-Crossing


The Department of Conservation is tightening safety controls at the Tongariro Crossing by asking all tour operators at the World Heritage sight to be registered

[Rob A]

I gather its trying to get all operators (icluding track transport) to come into TACTAG and agree not to transport any underequipped out to the track head. So obliging the policing of (and accountability for?) safety requirements for trampers to the private sector? All a bit weird. There must be a Docs centre at Whakapapa they want to close up.

[wayno]

most of the walkers wouldnt go near the doc centre, the shuttles run from many locations, most people arent staying near the doc centre, some come from taupo. they read something about the crossing or know about it's relationship to mt doom in lord of the rings and have little or no idea of how exposed it is to bad weather year round, they may have been basking in hot weather for days so step onto the bus in summer gear. little or no extra clothing and away they go.
they wouldnt have a clue what can happen to the weather when you gain 1400m in altitude from where you are staying, going to a mountain that is by far one of the highest points around in the direction the prevailing wind comes from, nothing to slow it down when it slams into the mountain with what ever moisture it brings in