Mt Dixon tragedy: Man dies while traversing mountain, experts warn of masked avalanche risk
Experts have warned that good weather and mountain conditions can mask avalanche dangers after a man died while traversing Mt Dixon.
Police said emergency services were alerted about 10am yesterday and a search and rescue operation was launched for the climber.
Senior Sergeant Craig Ellison said the man was found unresponsive and died a short time later.
Nathan Watson, operations manager at the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, said a storm about 48 hours ago had brought new snow to the high alpine environment.
Watson added it was a reminder that “good weather conditions don’t necessarily mean no avalanche danger”.
“Different storms come through, and they bring new snow,” he said.
“There’s wind, there’s rain, there’s varying freezing levels and what happens is the snowpack builds up and changes over time.
“Within the snowpack, there can be different layers of weakness.”
Watson said that even when the weather is good, there can be weaknesses or instabilities beneath a snowpack.
“Then if that’s triggered in a certain way, such as with a human on it, that stability can break and release and still trigger an avalanche.
“So the good weather at a particular time is not necessarily an indicator that there isn’t a risk within the snowpack.”
Watson said people could assess conditions before arriving on a mountain.
“New Zealand Mountain Safety Council provides 13 regional avalanche forecasts that cover the most popular and commonly used alpine environments.
“The avalanche advisory is going to give people the key information they need to help them determine where they should go and whether they should go out or not.”
Watson said there was a five-point danger rating scale people can check to indicate regional avalanche danger.
“There are lots of people mountaineering and ski touring and making the most of this weather window.
“Check the advisory before you go, understand what that means.
“When you’re out there, just be really conservative in your choices about where you’re climbing or where you’re skiing.”
The New Zealand Avalanche Advisory and the Mountain Safety Council said in a joint statement they were “deeply saddened” by the incident.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and whānau of the deceased, and everyone affected.
“Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.”
The statement reiterated the “tragic reminder” that good weather doesn’t eliminate avalanche risk.
“Although over 48 hours have passed since the most recent storm, avalanche problems can persist,” they said.
“In exposed alpine terrain, the consequences of even a small avalanche can be extreme.”
The statement acknowledged the search and rescue teams involved in the recovery.
“Thank you for your mahi and commitment to bring our loved ones home.”
The man’s death will be referred to the coroner.
Mt Dixon is in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, in the Southern Alps.