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As bad weather hampered the search for Irina Yun, missing in Mt Aspiring National Park since New Year's Eve, her family still holds out hope for the 36-year-old Auckland artist.
"I feel she is frightened, but still alive," said Oleg Amiton, Yun's ex-partner.
The mood was sombre but hopeful at Yun's house in Laingholm, West Auckland, yesterday, where Amiton was keeping vigil with their 4-year-old daughter, Liann.
Amiton will fly to Queenstown today to help the search team.
Yun was last seen on Wednesday, after she left Mt Aspiring Hut in the morning to cross the Cascade Saddle. She did not arrive at the Dart Hut that evening as planned.
Search and Rescue scoured the area on the first day of the year for the tramper, who was on her own, but stormy weather prevented the search from continuing on Friday.
With the weather forecast to clear, a search helicopter went out at 4am yesterday but was forced back due to poor visibility.
A land search team was sent out at 6am but low cloud, rain and snow stymied its attempts as well.
Wanaka Police's Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Aaron Nicholson suspended the search late yesterday morning, saying, "The high water levels, steep terrain, very dangerous wet and snow-covered tussock grass means that the safety of our volunteers remains a prominent consideration."
Amiton said Yun - an artist, photographer and web designer - was an experienced tramper and not one to give up easily.
"She is over-confident. As far as I know, she would not turn back."
Yun was experienced in alpine sports in her native Kazakhstan. New Zealand's reputation for outdoor pursuits was one of the reasons she moved here five years ago, said Amiton. A year ago, the couple tramped the Dart track, the area where Yun is now missing.
Amiton had spoken to Yun's family, who live in the Kazakh city of Almaty.
"They are worried, but they're a very traditional Asian family; they don't really express their feelings that much."
Amiton praised the close-knit West Auckland community for their help since Yun had been missing. "The community here is very supportive," said Amiton, who is separated from Yun.
He said friends were going to care for Liann as he headed to Queenstown.
