Avalanche forecast

Aspiring

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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Avalanche danger

High Alpine · above 2,000 m
2 · Moderate
Alpine · 1,500 m–2,000 m
2 · Moderate
Sub Alpine · below 1,500 m
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 weeks ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wind slabs formed on Friday and Saturday evening's snowfalls may be reactive around some isolated features.

Extra care should be taken where the runouts of even a small event are likely to be poor.

Identify and avoid areas of concern

Until winds ease this afternoon, we may see some wind loading during the day

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    Above around 1700m 20-30cm of new snow may have fallen since Friday. A reactive storm and wind slab are possible on all aspects, as moderate winds have shifted from the north on Friday to the east and then south on Sunday.

    We may see some continued snow transport and loading on Sunday with moderate southerlies in the forecast.

    Although not expected to be large in size, extra care should be taken around steep features that have received new loading, particularly where the runouts of even a small slide may have poor consequences.

Recent Avalanche Activity

No recent reports of avalanches.

If you see any recent avalanche occurrences or have any relevant snowpack information or photos, you can share them via the Public Observations link on the NZAA home page.

Current Snowpack Conditions

Approximately 10cm of new snow fell above 1700m on Friday and a further 10- 20 cm on Saturday night (possibly more towards Mt Brewster). Moderate northerly winds on Friday shifted to easterly late Saturday evening.

Before this, on 1st - 4th of August, very strong winds from the west and south have significantly stripped any exposed faces and features; other downwind areas in the lee have been left with variable surface conditions and multiple layers of very dense hard slab ranging from 10-60cm thick. This slab now appears very stubborn and unreactive. Large cornices have also formed above 1800m.

The snowpack is still relatively shallow for the time of year. Approximately 60- 70 cm below 1700m and 120cm at 2000m. Crevasses are still very open, and many rock features are still visible, particularly on west-facing aspects.

Although the lower part of the snowpack also appears consolidated and unreactive, the Aspiring region is very large, and there is still limited data. Caution should still be taken, particularly in steeper, more extreme terrain where unknown weaknesses may exist.

Mountain Weather

Mt Aspiring National Park Forecast

Forecast for Sunday

Rain, with snow to 1100 metres, easing to isolated showers in the afternoon.

Wind at 1000 metres Easterly 45 km/h turning southerly 30 km/h in the afternoon.

Wind at 2000 metres Easterly 45 km/h turning southerly 30 km/h in the afternoon.

Wind at 3000 metres Easterly 45 km/h turning southerly 30 km/h in the afternoon.

Freezing level 1500 metres.

Issued: 11:02pm Sat 8 Aug

Sliding Danger

Exposed areas such as ridgelines on west and south aspects may have been stripped back to old ice layers by recent strong winds. Depending on your objective, an ice axe and crampons could be necessary.

Forecast Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain whether the wind will be enough to form new wind slabs.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered