Of the 30 or so huts and bivouac sites in Arthur's Pass National Park, more than half of them make for convenient, and more or less comfortable bases for climbing expeditions. Most of these are easily reached on normal tramping routes, with three exceptions that tend to be difficult or slow to access in mid winter conditions (ie. Barker, Goat Pass and Waimakariri Falls Huts).

In most cases hut fees are payable, either directly to the owners, the Dept. of Conservation, or by utilising the Annual Hut Pass and Ticket system.

! ALWAYS enter your party name and intentions in hut visitors books, and make sure you leave the hut clean & tidy on leaving. (This includes taking out whatever rubbish you create!)

HUT RADIO SYSTEM

BARKER, CARRINGTON, CASEY, EDWARDS, HAMILTON (Craigieburn Forest Park), HAWDON, GOAT PASS AND LOCKE STREAM HUTS are in radio contact with the Visitor Centre in Arthur’s Pass. Weather forecasts are available on request daily from 8.15am until 4.45pm (summer), and 9.15am until 4.15pm (winter). Emergency calls are monitored at all times.

It is important not to place too much reliance in the Park’s radio network, as it is prone to failure, due to weather conditions, Kea attack, solar battery failure or just mis-use. Do not assume your distress call has been monitored if no radio response has been received, alternative action may be imperative!

Weather forecasts, and a scheduled Mountain Radio Service (IB) is available from 7.30pm to 8.00pm daily on 3.262 MHz (U.S.B.) utilising "carry-in" transceivers, or the radio at Park Morpeth Hut.

HUT & BIVOUAC LISTING (alphabetical)

ANTI CROW HUT (D.O.C.) - Is located on the Waimakariri River (south bank) opposite the Crow River confluence. It has 6 bunks. Water can be obtained near the hut, however the exercise involved in getting water from the Waimakariri is worth the quality obtained. Good campsites prevail about the site.

There is NO RADIO. The closest contact with the DOC Visitor Centre is available by trudging back to Highway 73, a distance of 7km. Alternatively 8km upstream is Carrington Hut (radio), however the radio is not 100% reliable and the terrain tends to be slower.