Extreme Avalanche Conditions

NZ Mountain Safety Council has issued a further warning for people to avoid backcountry travel in the Arthur’s Pass Region. This advisory has now been extended to include Aoraki/Mt. Cook and Westland National Parks

This follows an active period of snow storms and stormy weather. Since midday yesterday (14 August), significant amounts of new snow has fallen with nearly 50cms of snow recorded at Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village. Gale force winds continue to hammer the region.

Other regions of concern exist in the Canterbury region including the Craigieburn Range and the Arrowsmiths/Mt. Hutt Region. In addition conditions at Mt. Ruapehu are extremely touchy. The Bruce Road was closed earlier this morning and visitors staying in huts near Whakapapa Ski Area are advised to stay indoors until conditions stabilise.

Steve Schreiber, Sr. Programme Manager – Avalanche, Alpine, Snowsports, for Mountain Safety, Council has issued this warning: “Climbers, trampers, snowboarders and skiers should avoid all backcountry travel in Arthur’s Pass, Aoraki/Mt. Cook, Westland and Mt. Ruapehu. Travellers in other mountain regions should limit their exposure to low angle terrain if they must travel in the backcountry”.

Mr Schreiber urges backcountry travellers to keep up-to-date with avalanche conditions on www.avalanche.net.nz.