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Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 11:41 am
by Petew
Hi,

Just wondering if there are tent platforms at every hut? I don't think there is one at echo point hut, but everywhere else?

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 11:48 am
by rowdy
From memory there aren't any at Waterfall Valley Hut either, only group platforms not individual sites. Plenty of nice grass there though.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 12:02 pm
by crollsurf
I think they all have platforms now except Echo Point and Du Cane (don't know about Pine Valley)
If I remember correctly there is a great platform surrounded by Pandani, just passed Windermere Hut which was perfect, Far enough away to have that away from the crowd feel but only 30m to the hut.
From my recent experience, Windy Ridge doesn't have enough around the hut so you'll need to get there early or use one of the platforms away from the hut, which are maybe a klm before you get to the hut.
Echo point has no platforms and not a lot of spots to pitch your tent either, so might want to get there a bit earlier as well.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 12:05 pm
by Petew
We are going early August so hopefully room in the huts, tent as backup/variation

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 1:11 pm
by Warin
crollsurf wrote:don't know about Pine Valley


I think I read someone’s report that they observed platforms being built at pine valley.
That would then mean only waterfall valley needs to be done for most to have platform only camp sites for the OLT.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 4:43 pm
by Tino B
OLT Platforms:
Waterfall Valley - one only near old hut for registered groups
Windermere - plenty
Pelion - one large enough to fit multiple tents
Kia Ora - a few
Windy Ridge - a few near hut, a few on the way to the hut
Pine Valley - at least 4, some big enough for 2 tents
Narcissus - none
Echo Point - none

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 4:58 pm
by L_Cham_67
Tino B wrote:OLT Platforms:

Narcissus - none

I believe there actually are platforms at Narcissus. In fact I know there are haha, at least there was when I went past in December.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 5:39 pm
by north-north-west
Heaps of shiny new platforms at Narcissus.

DuCane has the helipad, on which it is possible to pitch, but no dedicated tent platforms.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 6:03 pm
by norts
There is also a platform at Waterfall Valley up behind the the New hut toilet. It is for overnighters who are not doing the entire OLT. It has a sign on stating that. You are meant to book(?) it through the visitors centre I think.
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Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 7:03 pm
by Tino B
north-north-west wrote:Heaps of shiny new platforms at Narcissus.

DuCane has the helipad, on which it is possible to pitch, but no dedicated tent platforms.

Ah, I went from Pine Valley to Lake St Clair lodge on the last day and just said g’day to the ranger at Narcissus before walking along the lake - didn’t see the platforms, just relied on the Parks track notes.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 7:50 pm
by bobcrusader
There is one at Du Cane. And the awesome toilet... I don't think there would be any problem using the group booking sites in the non-booking season. Check with a ranger though. Some are in great locations, so worth asking.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Fri 31 May, 2019 7:54 pm
by north-north-west
bobcrusader wrote:There is one at Du Cane. And the awesome toilet... I don't think there would be any problem using the group booking sites in the non-booking season. Check with a ranger though. Some are in great locations, so worth asking.


The platform at DuCane is actually a helipad, although people do pitch on it.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Sat 01 Jun, 2019 7:19 am
by matagi
I would say more than “a few” at Kia Ora - there are at least 5 not including the registered group platform

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Sat 01 Jun, 2019 8:54 am
by bobcrusader
I wouldn't land a helicopter on it, but as a tent platform, I think it works. Maybe it's new, but I remember passing it in Jan 2018.
Image

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Sat 01 Jun, 2019 9:12 am
by Mark F
Having pitched on the Du Cane helipad, I was under the impression that it is not strong enough for the current helicopters to safely land on. I have had the experience in the Vanoise of having to drop the tent right on dusk and clear the area to allow for an emergency helicopter rescue.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Sat 01 Jun, 2019 9:55 am
by north-north-west
bob:
Nah, it's not new. Been there for yonks.

Mark:
It may well not meet current standards. Certainly not as big and solid as the newer ones.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Sun 02 Jun, 2019 11:17 pm
by Snooze
bobcrusader wrote:There is one at Du Cane. And the awesome toilet... I don't think there would be any problem using the group booking sites in the non-booking season. Check with a ranger though. Some are in great locations, so worth asking.


We had lunch inside Du Cane hut (in heavy rain) relatively recently--February 2019. Sadly, the old toilet appeared to have been removed from the Du Cane hut area.

Also they should mark those decks that are dedicated helipads with giant "H" to save confusion.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Mon 03 Jun, 2019 8:21 am
by Warin
Snooze wrote:
bobcrusader wrote:Also they should mark those decks that are dedicated helipads with giant "H" to save confusion.


Does not have to be giant. And to be seen in the snow it needs to be a vertical sign .. shape of a 'H' should be sufficient to be understood? Paint it orange and there you go.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Mon 05 Aug, 2019 5:18 pm
by hm_fnq
Further to this question, are there grassy areas at all sites to pitch a tent or are you only allowed to use the platforms at the huts with platforms? We aren’t heading there until September 2020 so doing a heap of research prior. I’m hoping there will be enough room in the huts for our family of 4. We have trekking pole tents and wondering if I’m going to have issues pitching on the platforms with that style of tent. Debating whether I should get a new big family hiking tent - thinking Big Agnes or Tarptent. Just don’t want to outlay that amount of money if I don’t have to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Mon 05 Aug, 2019 10:33 pm
by norts
I have a a Tarptent Moment DW and a Tarptent Notch Li. I havent set the Notch up on platforms but have done the Moment . I dont think I would have any problem setting up the the Notch on a platform though. Carry a few cup hooks just in case. WFV, Pelion, Echo and Narcissus have the camping areas that arent platforms.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Tue 06 Aug, 2019 9:37 am
by Son of a Beach
rowdy wrote:From memory there aren't any at Waterfall Valley Hut either, only group platforms not individual sites. Plenty of nice grass there though.


It's a nice grassy floodplain. I've seen a large number of tents pitched there on a fine evening, and in the morning many of them had flood waters literally flowing through them (in one end and out the other - in the case of the two door tents that were there).

That creek overflows its banks after any decent rain.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Tue 06 Aug, 2019 10:52 am
by north-north-west
Waterfall depends on how far up the valley you go.

The construction underway last time I was there included tent platforms.

Re: Tent platforms

PostPosted: Tue 18 Feb, 2020 5:35 pm
by timh
hm_fnq wrote:Further to this question, are there grassy areas at all sites to pitch a tent or are you only allowed to use the platforms at the huts with platforms? We aren’t heading there until September 2020 so doing a heap of research prior. I’m hoping there will be enough room in the huts for our family of 4. We have trekking pole tents and wondering if I’m going to have issues pitching on the platforms with that style of tent. Debating whether I should get a new big family hiking tent - thinking Big Agnes or Tarptent. Just don’t want to outlay that amount of money if I don’t have to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!


I slept in my TT Stratospire every night on my recent OT trip, didn't have any issues with the platforms (I'd never set any tent up on a platform before).

Cuphooks made all the difference, as well as extra guy lines.

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