Avalanche risk survey supported
The NZDF and DoC joined forces recently to survey potential avalanche risks and remove about 2t of discarded wooden tracks in Nelson Lakes National Park.
Air Cdre Andrew Clark, the Air Component Commander, said the NZDF provided logistic expertise and heavy-lifting capability for DoC projects that have a direct impact on the safety of the thousands of people who visit the national park each year.
Information gathered during the survey, last conducted by DoC in 2016, will be provided to the Mountain Safety Council, the national organisation publishing online advisories on avalanche risks as part of its mandate to encourage safe participation in land-based outdoor activities.
Crews and helicopters from 3 Squadron, which were in Dip Flat for an exercise, carried out the tasks with personnel from the army’s 5 Movements Company.
“This is a great example of how the NZDF supports our community in a tangible way. It also gave our personnel an opportunity to enhance their skills while carrying out real-world tasks,” said Air Cdre Clark.
DoC senior ranger Phil Crawford said two department staff and an avalanche expert flew aboard an A109 to survey potential avalanche paths in the 101,000ha national park.
“The NZDF has been assisting us in conducting similar surveys in other avalanche-prone areas in the country.”
RNZAF NH90s lifted track markers and 9t of gravel to be used by DoC to create walking tracks in the park. They also delivered 5t of firewood to four DoC huts—Blue Lake, Upper Travers, Speargrass and Bushline—which are at altitudes of more than 1000m.
Another NH90 lifted about 2t of waste material from a disused boardwalk in Travers Valley. “NZDF support has been invaluable because it helps us to undertake work that we have been unable to achieve for years,” said Phil Crawford.
- Report and photography by John King.
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