The Department of Conservation says repairs to the Great Walks are progressing well, although avalanche conditions are still causing delays.

Windfall clearance and track repair work is well underway on the Milford Track following the recent storm but the avalanche hazard is still too high to safely allow work at some bridge sites.

DOC Operations Director Southern South Island Aaron Fleming says until the avalanche risk has substantially decreased, the bridges can’t be reinstalled. 

“We have rangers from outside the region on the ground helping with the recovery.

“Safety is always our number one priority and right now the risk is too high. Staff are seeing daily avalanches in the upper Clinton, with heavy snow loads beginning to melt.

As well as a risk to people, it wouldn’t make sense to install a bridge directly in the path of a predictable avalanche.”

Staff are still working towards a November 19 reopening for the Milford Track however will be in direct contact with booked hikers if further delays are expected. 

The alpine sections of the Kepler and Routeburn tracks remain closed until snow and avalanche conditions improve.

The DOC website continues to be updated regularly as new information comes to light, and DOC will continue to notify people booked of any delays or closures, says Aaron.

“Anyone heading backcountry into alpine areas should be aware of the heightened avalanche risk following the late spring snowfall. It’s not just Great Walks impacted.

“It’s not the start of the summer hiking season we’d hoped for, but we are working hard to get things up and running for people to get back out naturing as soon as possible and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”