Large avalanche spurs warning

TIMARU: Backcountry enthusiasts were warned yesterday to take care after the largest publicly reported avalanche of the year was sighted at Mt Cook.

The size four avalanche was about 2km in length and 600m across.

The debris was found by a ski touring group on Wednesday. The avalanche was thought to have occurred earlier this week.

Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said it was a springtime reminder for trampers and climbers that the avalanche danger remained.

Typically avalanches of this size would have a mass of about 10,000 tonnes.

‘‘Large avalanches like this are powerful enough to travel far below the snowline in some cases,’’ Mr Daisley said.

The Avalanche Advisory has issued an alert for heightened avalanche conditions in high alpine areas such as Arthur’s Pass, Craigieburn Range, Mt Hutt and the Wanaka area. — RNZ