An author of the Larapinta Trail Guide has criticised a campsite booking system introduced by the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission in March for requiring hikers to make concrete plans.
Emergency services attended four requests for assistance from hikers on the popular walking trail in less than three weeks, including one call for help when a 22-year-old man collapsed and died before paramedics could reach him.
Experienced bushwalker and author John Chapman said the booking system caused some to push themselves to continue walking in difficult conditions.
"They just made a big mistake by making people book campsites each night," Mr Chapman said.
He said the booking system should distinguish between hikers doing short trips, and people walking the full 230-kilometre length of the Larapinta Trail.
"The end-to-ends can take whatever time they need," he said.
"Sure, you’ll get the odd night the campsite will be crowded but overall, the numbers will work out.
"What will happen is … they’ll do a short day or two when it’s hot and then when the weather cools they might do a double day to catch up."
Dehydrated hiker rescued
Devan Pillay, 58, had planned to spend nine days hiking on the Larapinta Trail when he visited Central Australia over the Easter long weekend.
He set off from Standley Chasm on Saturday carrying at least five litres of water and a bag weighing more than 20 kilograms.
But as temperatures reached about 36 degrees Celsius, Mr Pillay began to experience heat stress and activated the emergency beacon he was carrying.
"I knew that I was losing a lot of fluid because of the heat, so I started to pace myself … I was taking a lot of breaks," he said.
"Every time I took a break and sat down I was dozing off … that’s when I got a little bit scared.
Four emergency services personnel reached Mr Pillay about 9.30pm and stayed with him overnight until a helicopter could airlift him out of the remote location early Sunday morning.
Mr Pillay said he didn't know how to express his gratitude to his rescuers, and he didn't believe he would have survived another day if he continued on the trail.
He said he did not blame the campsite booking system for his misadventure.
NT Parks say the system is 'flexible'
District manager of Central Australian Parks, Phil Cowen, said hikers should not put themselves at risk to keep their campsite bookings.
"We absolutely don't want people feeling like they're in a position where they have to get to a particular campsite or have to start their hike if conditions are not good," he said.
"We do want people to understand that there is flexibility in the system.
"We can always sort out their booking retrospectively."
Mr Cowen encouraged users experiencing difficulty with the booking system to contact the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission.
