Media release
9 January 2013, 11am
Storm Closes Milford Track
The Department of Conservation advises that the Milford Track has again been closed for the day due to high winds and
heavy rain. This follows an earlier closure on 1 January 2013. The rain in the Clinton Valley has been extremely intense
with the river level rising from near normal to above the flood threshold within 5 hours. This has resulted in the
Clinton River bursting its bank and the tramping party turning back to the Clinton Hut due to waist deep flooding. In
addition 85mm of rain has fallen in the Arthur Valley in the 5 hours up to 10am with a further up to 200mm forecast. The
Mackinnon Pass is being battered by storm force winds, with wind conditions expected to peak in the early afternoon.
DOC spokesperson, Annie Wallace advises, “A storm warning came in yesterday, with the event expected to peak this
afternoon. Trampers on the Milford Track are safe and well with most trampers from Dumpling Hut proceeding off the track
today before water levels peak and other trampers remaining at the huts a second night. The parties that have decided to
remain at Dumpling Hut include families with children.”
No new independent walkers have started the track today, with today’s bookings cancelled as the track is fully booked.
Families and operators expecting trampers to return from the track currently should expect a day’s delay until Saturday,
12 January.
Ultimate Hikes, Milford Track guided walking operation has continued to operate using helicopters to reposition walkers
as required.
An assessment of track conditions will be made tomorrow morning and it is expected that operations for independent
walkers will resume as usual from that time.
On the Kepler Track, trampers are travelling together across the alpine section of the track, accompanied by the ranger
due to high winds and heavy rain. They are currently experiencing 60-80kph winds with the forecast predicting gusts over
100kph.
Other walking tracks in the region remain open with the Great Walks huts essentially full. DOC advises back country
users to check the weather forecast and be aware of their level of experience and preparedness before heading into the
backcountry. They are especially urged to watch out for swollen rivers and other natural hazards.
A further update will be provided at 10am, Thursday 10 January.
ENDS
Background
• 120 independent walkers are currently on the Milford Track across 3 huts. 31 are expected to proceed off the
track with the rest remaining an additional night.
• The intensity of this storm is less than the event on 1 January so far. That event was the heaviest rain event
in 12 months.
• Peak rainfall so far is 18mm/hr compared with 22mm/hr in the last storm.
• This storm is accompanied by high winds unlike the storm on 1 January where wind wasn’t a significant issue. The
wind is exacerbating the risk over exposed alpine sections.
• In Fiordland’s steep glaciated environment, river levels rise quickly during heavy rain but also drop quite
quickly.