13 August 2004
4pm
Avalanche at Treble Cone ski area
This release is from Geoff WYATT, Search and Rescue Advisor for Wanaka Police.
At 11.23 am Wanaka Police were advised that an avalanche had occurred within the Treble Cone ski area at approximately 11.20 am. The avalanche occurred at an elevation of 1600 metres, adjacent to the six seater chair lift. This runs down onto Triple Treat run.
A witness reported seeing someone in the avalanche. Treble Cone patrollers initiated a search and called in Cardrona Patrollers and two avalanche dogs at 11.25 am.
Three people were partially buried and later accounted for by searchers.
Wanaka Search and Rescue teams plus heli ski guides were flown onto the avalanche site. The avalanche fracture line (crown wall), was approximately 150cm deep and ran about 150 vertical metres.
Up to 100 searchers, dogs and groomers have searched and probed the debris for over three hours without finding anyone. Police and ski area staff interviewed public to ascertain if anyone is missing.
Searchers are confident no one was buried however a fresh Alpine search dog from Coronet Peak was flown in to the site to do a final search along with Treble Cone patrollers and search teams.
Snow safety experts on site are confident everything possible has been done to locate a buried person, including dog searching, probing all the possible burial locations for over three hours.
There are no reports of injuries.
Geoff Wyatt comments that current avalanche conditions in the alpine zone, beyond the ski area bounds within the Southern Alps, are extreme. The public is advised to restrict their outdoor activities to known, safe terrain and away from avalanche paths. The snow pack is unstable.
If you are venturing into these areas please take advice from ski patrols and Department of Conservation field centres.