Fresh snow and strong winds from the South through to the East over recent days may have created pockets of Wind Slab.
Information regarding conditions in the back country is very limited at present. Observations have been restricted by long periods of poor visibility. Adopt a cautious investigative approach.
Pockets of Wind Slab may exist. Be particularly wary of slopes facing North East through to West above about 1700m. Avoid steep, complex terrain if you encounter deposits of stiff wind transported snow. Moderate angled slopes are a wise choice especially, if the visibility is poor.
Natural Wind Slab avalanches (up to size 2) have occurred around Treble Cone in recent days. These failures occurred on North East and Eastern aspects between 1800 and 2000M.
If you see evidence of avalanches in the back country please enter a public observation.
Very limited cover across the region prior to the storm which arrived on Saturday 4/7. Snow falling below about 2000m will have landed predominantly on tussock, scree and rock. Snow which has fallen over the past few days (40cm) has been redistributed by strong South and South East winds. A thin early season snowpack means rocky runouts and deep ugly terrain traps should you find yourself caught in even a small slide.
Thursday - cloudy periods with the odd shower. Moderate to strong South East winds dying during the day. Freezing level - 900m.
Be prepared to encounter variable surface conditions. Some areas will be wind stripped back to icy crusts.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
