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Supplied
A skier next to the debris from the avalanche, which occurred sometime this week.
The largest avalanche ever recorded in New Zealand this year has been observed at Aoraki / Mt Cook.
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council confirmed that a ski touring group came across debris from the avalanche on Thursday.
It has been estimated to be 600 m wide and 2 km long.
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The council said the avalanche appeared to have occurred a few days before the group discovered the debris.
Supplied
The avalanche was estimated to be 600 m wide and 2 km long.
Chief Executive Mike Daisley said in a statement that it was a timely reminder that avalanches remain a hazard despite rising temperatures and spring conditions.
“This is particularly true in Aoraki / Mt Cook and for that reason, we forecast avalanches throughout the year in that region,” he said.
This week’s avalanche was the largest reported to the NZ Avalanche Advisory this year.
RNZ
A guide was dragged hundreds of meters downhill when he was caught in an avalanche at Aoraki-Mt Cook. (Video first published in October 2019)
As of Friday, Aoraki / Mt Cook still had a “moderate” avalanche threat, meaning it is unlikely to occur naturally, but a human-caused one was still possible.
“Keep avalanche danger as part of your planning this spring,” Daisley said.
