Milford Track During Off-Peak Season

[satorumusashi]

hi all,

am considering doing the milford track during the off-peak season... (late september early october) and was wondering if anyone has done it before?
having read the brochures, it sounds like it could be full on especially re avalanches?

crampons, ice axes, snow shovels and avalanche beacons?

any advice or trip reports for this period would be great...

[wayno]

keep checking with DOC they will tell you how bad the avalanche danger is
it all depends on when the heavy snow comes, last year it was very late, and you might have got away with september
if the heavy snow comes before you're due to go, flag it, the avalanche risk can be very dangerous.
I havent done it then because i wouldnt want to take the risk of doing it then.
forget global warming being on your side, it means nigher humidity in winter and can mean bigger snow dumps when it snows and it can become unstable faster with higher than normal temperatures...

http://en.allexperts.com/q/New-Zealand-215/2009/2/Milford-Track-September.htm

doc post track updates here, in winter they issue avalanche advisory's throughout winter

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recrea ... fiordland/

[wayno]

heres an example of docs avalanche advisory for sept last year

http://csl.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents ... kepler.pdf

Clinton: Valley:
High Avalanche danger- (from Six Mile to Mintaro Hut)
The avalanche start zones have reached threshold. The track is buried by avalanche debris. New snow over last week has loaded the upper slopes. This snow hasn’t been bonding well to the existing snow pack.

Mackinnon Pass:
High Avalanche danger –(from Mintaro hut to Quintin Lodge including the emergency track)
This section is buried under at least a metre of snow and deeper where avalanches have crossed the track. Glide cracks are opening up and can release snow at any time. It is impossible to avoid the avalanche danger on this section of track at present, especially on the Clinton side of the Mackinnon pass.

Arthur Valley:
Moderate Avalanche danger –(from Quintin Lodge to Sandfly point)
Upper avalanche start zones have reached threshold. Walkers are advised not to linger under main avalanche paths from Steep Hill to Coby.
Avalanche paths aren’t sign posted on the section of track. People are advised to learn paths before walking.

Sutherland Falls Track:
High Avalanche danger -People are advised not to linger under Rain Gauge avalanche path.
Avalanche danger will remain steady or increase due to new snow and rain

[satorumusashi]

thanks for the replies... will keep checking the info