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Above the bushline

Much of New Zealand's backcountry is cloaked in native forest, or 'bush' as it's known, up to an altitude of around 1000-1500 metres. Above the bush line in the alpine zone lies some of our most beautiful but also most challenging tramping. Some additional hazards have to be considered when travelling above the bush line. The weather is often more severe and there is often little or no shelter and steep terrain lends itself to rock fall and avalanches. This page has some tips to help you safely enjoy the awesome experiences to be had above the bush line.

Terrain Mt Cassidy, Arthur's Pass National Park. There have been 4 fatalities on the slopes facing the camera, and several rescues.

Much of the alpine landscape is by definition steep and craggy. In winter it also attracts snow and ice.

When travelling in alpine terrain always consider...

Weather

There is nothing quite as special as a beautiful day amongst the mountains. But in alpine areas the weather can also be very severe as there are no surrounding hills or forest to shelter you from the full force of a storm.

Characteristics of alpine weather that pose a danger to trampers...

  • Rapid changes. In some alpine areas you may have as little as 20 minutes warning of an impending storm! While weather forecasts are relatively accurate they are never 100% correct so always be prepared for anything
  • Colder temperatures. Temperatures in popular alpine hiking areas often fall below freezing, even in summer. Carry adequate clothing.
  • Higher winds. Wind speeds in alpine areas can often be high enough to make standing or walking impossible, and destroy tents sited in exposed places
  • Poor visibility. Fog, heavy rain and snow can all limit visibility to just a few metres. These conditions can descend rapidly, catching you off guard. Never travel off track or on unmarked routes unless you are completely confident of your navigation abilities and the nature of the surrounding terrain. Make a habit of always knowing where you are and making a navigation plan in advance of each day.
  • Lightening. Lightening can be a hazard in alpine areas. If you find yourself in a high open area during a lightening storm, descend as quickly as you safely can. Avoid high points and do not shelter in caves or rock overhangs. If you take shelter, sit on your pack or anything that will help insulate you from the ground. Carrying metal or alloy objects will not increase your chances of being hit but may cause additional burns if you are hit. It is considered best to keep items such as your ice axe, it is very likely that you will put yourself in greater danger by discarding such essential items!

Avalanches

Snow avalanches are a common occurrence in the mountains of New Zealand and cause several fatalities each year. The trick to avoiding avalanches is to learn how to identify avalanche terrain and then to stay clear of it. If the avalanche danger is moderate take care by choosing your route carefully, if the danger is high or extreme stay at home and read a book. Avalanches do not care if you are skilled climber, a snow safety expert or talented skier.

When travelling in areas where avalanches are a known hazard...

  • Attend a recognised avalanche awareness course!
  • Check the avalanche danger. See Links for useful avalanche sites.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain by sticking to ridges (however be wary of overhanging curls of snow on ridges, known as cornices), high ground or areas within mature forest. Avalanches are most likely to occur on slopes between 30 and 45 degrees, on slopes lee to the wind and within 48 hours of a heavy snowfall.
  • Be aware that avalanches can start some distance above you without being triggered by you. Even small avalanches can be deadly if they push you over a cliff so be aware of the terrain below you also
  • If you are competent in their use it is wise to carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe in avalanche conditions. However remember that a transceiver is only an added link in the safety chain, it won't save you if you are hit by 500 tons of fast moving snow!

Moving safely on steep terrain

The thing with steep terrain is that it has been sitting there for eons, just minding its own business. Accidents only occur when we trampers enter the equation and take a dangerous line, knock rocks one each other or slip on the moss. The ball is in our court so to speak. When planning to cross steep terrain, I find it helps to break the problem down into route selection, movement, communication and group management (assuming I am not alone).

Route selection: Consider...

  • Steepness (Is there a less steep way to go? Do you even need to be here?)
  • Rockfall or avalanche (does your intended route cross rockfall or avalanche paths?)
  • Quality of footing (Slippery vs grippy, loose vs firm, soft vs hard)
  • Fall potential (multiply likelyhood X severity; how likely is a fall, and how serious would it be if someone did fall? Are you happy with the answer?)
  • Travelling between 'islands' of safety (moving from one flat/safe area to another reduces the time people spend in steep/risky areas, and reduces the chance of bottlenecks occuring in unsafe places)

Movement: Try to...

  • Move with grace and balance (ensure a smooth transfer of weight with each step, avoid jumping and long strides. Imagine you are a big cat and hum the Pink Panther tune!)
  • Stay upright - "nose over your toes" (avoid the temptation to lean towards the slope, or sit on your bum, it pushes your feet outwards and reduces your traction and balance)
  • Face outwards or sideways when descending (unless it becomes very steep, this helps your balance and ability to see the best line to take)
  • Walk flat footed (to ensure maximum contact between your boot sole and the good planet earth)
  • Keep a balanced and well adjusted pack
  • Stay fed, warm and hydrated (to avoid fatigue, clumsiness and mistakes in judgement)
  • Take regular short rests
  • Test all hand or foot holds before committing your full weight (and push down rather than pulling outwards to reduce the chance of weak holds breaking)

Communication: Encourage...

  • Everyone to speak out if they need help or do not feel confident to continue (always manage to the level of your least experienced or confident group member)
  • Everyone to 'call' hazards (like saying "Hey, take care just here, that grey rock is loose" or yelling "ROCK!" if you dislodge any solid object)
  • Coaching of skills to less experienced members (talking or guiding someone through a tricky section can do wonders for their confidence and reduce the chance of inadvertant mistakes. An old guides trick is to get a less experienced client to follow immediately behind them, concentrating on and using exactly the same foot steps as the guide)

Group management: Consider...

  • Positioning (Where is each member in relation to one other? Are they likely to knock rocks down on each other or bump one another at a crucial point?)
  • Mode of travel (High rockfall risk/large rocks = Cross dangerous zone one at a time. Low rockfall risk/small rocks = If you are traversing you should spread out or if climbing/descending, zig zag or ascend/descend the plumb line with everyone only a metre of so apart so that dislodged rocks do not have time to accelerate before striking someone. On screes or where there is lots of room, you can also climb or descend in a wide line, all staying at the same height to avoid knocking rocks onto each other.)
  • Spotting (the spotter must be in a safe place and maintain a stable stance with arms and legs slightly bent, keep their thumbs and fingers together to avoid them being injured, and concentrate fully on their task. It is best if the spotter takes their pack off. The aim of spotters is not to 'catch' a falling person, but to direct them into an upright landing to reduce the chance of head or upper body injury)
  • Pack passing (passing or lowering/hauling heavy packs over a tricky section may make life much easier and safer)