Avalanche warning for Nelson, Marlborough and Kaikoura conservation areas
Media contacts:
Martin Heine, ph: +64 3 546 3154 or 027 4305 273
Trish Grant, Communications Advisor, ph: +64 3 546 3146
Date: 15 August 2008
The Department of Conservation is warning extreme care is needed in Nelson, Marlborough and Kaikoura alpine areas due to high avalanche risk and it is strongly advising people to stay away from Nelson Lakes National Park for the time being.
DOC Nelson/Marlborough Technical Support Manager Martin Heine said there was a risk of avalanche in alpine areas of Nelson, Marlborough and Kaikoura national parks and conservation areas after recent snowfalls with the risk particularly high in Nelson Lakes National Park.
"We are strongly advising people not to go on tracks in Nelson Lakes National Park, and that includes lakeside tracks, due to the avalanche risk, the weather conditions, and risk of tree fall due to snow.
"Hopeless Hut and Cupola Hut in Nelson Lakes National Park have been closed because of the avalanche danger.
"We advise anyone planning trips into alpine areas to check first on weather and avalanche conditions with DOC's Nelson Lakes and Nelson visitor centres or DOC offices in the region."
For further advice about avalanche risk in all areas, people should check the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council website.