How many have never carried a tent on the OLT

[dazintaz]

As I believe Its not really necessary to carry a tent during the booking season with the exception of Tiny Kia Ora theres ample space everywhere. For safety, I want to take a Bivi, any recommendations would be welcome.

[Strider]

What if the weather turns and you can't make it to the next hut?

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[dazintaz]

Hence my question regarding a Biv.

[RonK]

Why not - I have done it with only a tarp and a plastic body bag.

[jimjim]

Any comments on the leech factor for someone planning on tarp sleeping?

[Paul]

Yes I have done OLT without a tent. I assessed the risks at the time.

Paul.

[Suz]

+1 for no tent but it was many moons ago.

[Son of a Beach]

Sheesh... I much prefer a tent to the huts, most of the time. The huts are bearable out of season.

Eating an otherwise nice dinner in a crowded room with sweaty socks hanging on every available space is not my idea of fun.

[pulseevents]

We carried a tent when we did it but it never came out, the few nights we wanted to use it there were no campsites left by the time we got to the huts. still, rather have it if needed.

[corvus]

Carried a Tent on all 15 of our OLT trips and never used it

[Overlandman]

I always carry a tent.
I have been caught between huts on occasions.
If it is raining / snow or forecast too, I will stay in the hut.
But if it is fine / clear, the tent is the place to be.
Regards OLM

[dunamis]

If you had something go wrong and needed to get warm or dry you would kick yourself for not bringing one. I did the walk earlier this month. There are five in our family and I carried a three man tent in case someone had a problem and couldn't make the next hut.


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[Mark F]

You do need something properly waterproof. I have arrived at a hut to find a pile of charred remains. Not the olt but always possible.

[Son of a Beach]

That's a possibility that we don't often consider, but well worth some thought, Mark!

The first time I did the OT we stayed at Cirque Hut on the first night. The next time I went through, we planned to go all the way to Windermere for the first night - where we camped in tents, not the hut. Glad we hadn't planned to stay at Cirque Hut, and glad we had tents.

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

I've always carried one, either as a primary shelter or as a backup if using the huts. These days if I was intent on using the huts I might take a shaped tarp as a backup instead of a tent, but that would depend on season/forecast etc.

Interestingly in many parts of NZ that are served by huts it's accepted practice to not carry one, and in particular on the great walks they say not to (except if you are only using designated camping facilities).