Avalanche Near Miss Prompts Fresh Warnings

Recent events in the Remarkables Range have highlighted the risks of winter backcountry use. The Mountain Safety Council is keen to remind those going into unpatrolled terrain to check the conditions carefully. Chief Executive Mike Daisley is concerned the well-documented conditions will persist through the season.
"We've got a very tricky situation in the snowpack throughout the country."

"Early in the season, we had a period of warmer weather right after a good snowfall. This crusty layer is now buried and is creating unstable conditions."

The avalanche in the backcountry of the Remarkables on Monday afternoon was the sort of thing forecasters of the NZ Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) run by the Mountain Safety Council have been concerned about for weeks said, Daisley.

"Our guys are telling us that this is a 'persistent weak layer' that is likely to be with us for much of the season."
While there are concerns about the conditions, Daisley is clear that backcountry participation should not be discouraged.

"We're really keen to see people explore the wilderness areas of New Zealand in an informed way."

"Reports suggest the group had transceivers and were doing the line one at a time which is great to hear."
More information on the conditions around the country via the NZ Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) - avalanche.net.nz

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