Comments on: Night tramping and hut etiquette http://www.windy.gen.nz/index.php/archives/435 Crawling is more fun when it's windy Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:48:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Mike McGavin http://www.windy.gen.nz/index.php/archives/435/comment-page-1#comment-10553 Mike McGavin Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:37:45 +0000 http://www.windy.gen.nz/?p=435#comment-10553 Hi Robb. Thanks for the comment. I didn't mean to imply it should be universally acceptable to cram into a hut that's full, or to ignore that other people are there too. I guess I just thought that this guy's across-the-board statement was very unjustified and wrong. I've once bedded down in a wood-shed rather than enter a hut at 3am, and there are at least a couple of times at Rangiwahia, for instance, where I've been on the floor away from the bunks in a sleeping bag within 5 minutes of arriving, then heading outside to re-pack and breakfast before leaving not long after 6am... in one case I'm not sure if we even woke people. In general though, I do think it should be acceptable to show up at any time because people are out there and doing things at all times, and huts are there for everyone. Climbers and hunters certainly know about being active in the very early morning. Tramping clubs can be invasive no matter what time of day they show up, and I suppose I'm saying this as someone who often goes out with a club. A year ago I spent a night in a hut with a large group from an Auckland club, but if I'd arrived there <em>after</em> them I think I would have stayed away from the bunk room altogether, which was by that time cramped and stifling hot. There was one particular woman who seemed to take personal offence any time the door slammed, as if it violated whatever she thought should be tramping etiquette, and I was woken at least four times by her angrily shouting at people to not slam the door when they went out to find the toilet. All sorts, I guess. I left much earlier the next morning than I'd originally planned, and seriously considered letting the door swing itself shut on the way out. But yes, it's really important when in a big group to be considerate or stay outside if it's hard to get in without disturbing people, unless that's really not an option. Actually I'm surprised there are still clubs that go <em>anywhere</em> without enough portable shelter for everyone, though I've run into a couple myself. As far as I'm concerned it's an essential requirement of the outdoors, as huts are never ever guaranteed. Clubs at the very least should know that. Hi Robb. Thanks for the comment. I didn’t mean to imply it should be universally acceptable to cram into a hut that’s full, or to ignore that other people are there too. I guess I just thought that this guy’s across-the-board statement was very unjustified and wrong.

I’ve once bedded down in a wood-shed rather than enter a hut at 3am, and there are at least a couple of times at Rangiwahia, for instance, where I’ve been on the floor away from the bunks in a sleeping bag within 5 minutes of arriving, then heading outside to re-pack and breakfast before leaving not long after 6am… in one case I’m not sure if we even woke people. In general though, I do think it should be acceptable to show up at any time because people are out there and doing things at all times, and huts are there for everyone. Climbers and hunters certainly know about being active in the very early morning.

Tramping clubs can be invasive no matter what time of day they show up, and I suppose I’m saying this as someone who often goes out with a club. A year ago I spent a night in a hut with a large group from an Auckland club, but if I’d arrived there after them I think I would have stayed away from the bunk room altogether, which was by that time cramped and stifling hot. There was one particular woman who seemed to take personal offence any time the door slammed, as if it violated whatever she thought should be tramping etiquette, and I was woken at least four times by her angrily shouting at people to not slam the door when they went out to find the toilet. All sorts, I guess. I left much earlier the next morning than I’d originally planned, and seriously considered letting the door swing itself shut on the way out.

But yes, it’s really important when in a big group to be considerate or stay outside if it’s hard to get in without disturbing people, unless that’s really not an option. Actually I’m surprised there are still clubs that go anywhere without enough portable shelter for everyone, though I’ve run into a couple myself. As far as I’m concerned it’s an essential requirement of the outdoors, as huts are never ever guaranteed. Clubs at the very least should know that.

]]> By: Robb http://www.windy.gen.nz/index.php/archives/435/comment-page-1#comment-10549 Robb Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:01:29 +0000 http://www.windy.gen.nz/?p=435#comment-10549 Kia ora Mike, I agree with you in most respects. In my "younger" days in the hills I always carried a tent, or bivvy sack, and would shun huts if they had people within, as if it somehow detracted from my experience. I still carry such shelter. I have learned though that most times meeting, more or less, like minded people is a fine and interesting experience and gladly make room and share what I have. And am always richer for it. Though planning is important and making sure that if arriving at night the structure being sought has at least enough accomodation capability to begin with as trampers, and that alternative accomodation is carried. I recall one winter solo trip to the old tiny Parks Peak hut on a very crappy day and plugging steps along the long ridge. Glad to finally get there and get into dry warm clothes, try and get a fire going in that old stove, and the billy going, to my surprise I hear a knock upon the door! I open it and there stands a young guy, cold and wet who comes in and announces a whole lot of his mates from the Auckland Tramping club are on the way! 7 more of them in a 4 bunk hut with no tents or bivvy bags. It was not a pleasant evening to be sure - at least for me. I left very in the morning after which way they were headed. Then went the opposite direction. Cheers, Robb Kia ora Mike,
I agree with you in most respects. In my “younger” days in the hills I always carried a tent, or bivvy sack, and would shun huts if they had people within, as if it somehow detracted from my experience. I still carry such shelter. I have learned though that most times meeting, more or less, like minded people is a fine and interesting experience and gladly make room and share what I have. And am always richer for it.
Though planning is important and making sure that if arriving at night the structure being sought has at least enough accomodation capability to begin with as trampers, and that alternative accomodation is carried.
I recall one winter solo trip to the old tiny Parks Peak hut on a very crappy day and plugging steps along the long ridge. Glad to finally get there and get into dry warm clothes, try and get a fire going in that old stove, and the billy going, to my surprise I hear a knock upon the door! I open it and there stands a young guy, cold and wet who comes in and announces a whole lot of his mates from the Auckland Tramping club are on the way! 7 more of them in a 4 bunk hut with no tents or bivvy bags. It was not a pleasant evening to be sure – at least for me. I left very in the morning after which way they were headed. Then went the opposite direction.
Cheers,
Robb

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