Voluntary Walker Registration

[Nuts]

It's a shame the rego system can't be made to work better. If accurate, just checking it out (for those above it all) could potentially spread use.

[lc130]

Hi folks as I've posted out before: It's a carryover/continuation from the post covid lock down, when numbers in huts were limited. Its not a legally enforceable or obligatory registration. Note the wording 'you need to register', not 'you must register'. They can't fine you for not using with a 'voluntary system'. It's just a sneaky way to keep numbers down in areas where campsites and hut space is limited. PWS know there will be a fairly high level of compliance so it will achieve their goal. There are no controls on it. On the website they ask 'please cancel' if you change your mind. Problem is people book multiple start dates and then go when the forecast looks right but don't cancel any booking, so it looks full but isn't. Once again, that achieves PWS goal of keeping numbers down without a formal booking system and fee like for the OLT. There are many cases where one arrives at a nearly empty place despite it being 'fully booked'. This happens routinely. It's disingenuous, deceptive and dishonest. I've done 3 trips to FC and never registered and there were not the number of people that 'fully booked' would imply.

[Tortoise]

On the website they ask 'please cancel' if you change your mind. Problem is people book multiple start dates and then go when the forecast looks right but don't cancel any booking, so it looks full but isn't.

I'm sure that's happening a lot, but there's also been a problem with the system whereby some people try to cancel a booking, but are unable to. A friend had 3 attempts, all unsuccessful. I had several unsuccessful attempts to cancel one trip. I rang Parks (can't remember which office), and the person there was also unable to cancel my booking. That's apparently why they're looking for a more reliable system in which making a cancellation is very much easier.