KEY POINTS:
The ground search for an Australian climber missing in Westland National Park has been called off because of deteriorating weather.
James Meredith Morgan, 62, of Sydney, was last seen on October 3 near Mt Sefton and reported missing a week ago.
Mr Morgan was regarded as an experienced climber, though his family had unsuccessfully tried to persuade him not to climb alone, Sydney police said.
At the beginning of December Department of Conservation staff realised his locked Toyota Surf 4WD had been at the Copland Track car park for several weeks.
Acting Senior Sergeant Allyson Ealam of Greymouth police said today ground searchers had searched "areas of interest" in the past few days following improved weather.
"However, there are now several further heavy weather fronts affecting the area which will not permit further search activities," Ms Ealam said.
She said searches would continue as weather permitted and asked trampers or climbers in the Copland Pass area to contact police if they had any information.
- NZPA
