Generally safe conditions; however, caution should still be taken in more extreme terrain or any areas you have doubts about.
Continue to practice good backcountry etiquette and take advantage of another fine day before the weather changes again on Friday.
A few days of gale-force westerly and southerly winds have severely stripped exposed slopes, blown plenty of snow into the atmosphere, and loaded downwind slopes in the lee with dense slabs of various thicknesses. These new slabs appear to have bonded well.
Caution should still be taken in steeper, more extreme terrain, particularly where runnouts are bad.
Nothing recent reported. Some old crowns are visible on very steep, extreme terrain that appear to be 4-5 days old.
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.
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 multiple layers of very hard slab that appear unreactive and locked up.
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 pack 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.
Mt Aspiring National Park Forecast
Forecast for Thursday
Fine but cloud developing in the evening.
Wind at 1000 metres Light but northerlies developing in the evening.
Wind at 2000 metres Light, northerly 45 km/h developing in the afternoon.
Wind at 3000 metres Light, northerly 45 km/h developing in the evening.
Freezing level 1600 metres, lowering to 1200 metres in the evening.
Issued: 12:21pm Wed 5 Aug
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.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
