Searchers find no trace of missing tramper

The search continues in Kahurangi National Park for missing British tourist James Esbester, with no sign as yet of the missing man.

Incident Controller Sergeant Mike Fitzsimons said this afternoon there were 15 teams searching Luna Peak, Biggs Tops and the ridge between the two, along with Meteor Creek. The terrain in the area is extremely rugged and searchers are having to bush-bash much of the way.

Four dog teams are now in the area, along with the Air Force Iroquois and specialist cavers who are abseiling down bluffs.

Sergeant Fitzsimons said some of the teams would stay in the bush overnight, while others would be rotated out.

A helicopter with night vision equipment was deployed on Saturday night but was unable to operate on Sunday or Monday nights due to cloud cover. The helicopter will be used tonight if the weather is clear. The current forecast is indicating light rain for tonight.

Sergeant Fitzsimons said the team was continually revising the search plan as information was fed in from the searchers. Forward planning for tomorrow's search teams is already well under way.

"We're currently re-visiting parts of Mt Luna and also exploring the bush on the south edges. We're also looking into the north-west and south-west edges of Biggs Topps."

More than 50 police, Defence Force, Fire Service and search and rescue volunteers are involved in the search.