Search for missing US tramper delayed again

Bad weather has hampered the search for a missing American tramper in Nelson Lakes National Park for a second consecutive day.

Edward Dave Reynolds, 39, had been missing for a month and a half, and the odds of finding him alive were almost nil, Nelson Search and Rescue assistant co-ordinator Sherp Tucker said.

An Air Force Iroquois helicopter and search-dog teams would join the search when the weather improved.

High winds and low cloud yesterday delayed the resumption of the search in the Spenser Mountains in the Lewis Pass region.

Mr Reynolds was last seen on February 23.

The alarm was raised after he failed to pick up gear from friends as arranged and missed his flight back to the United States.

His bank accounts had not been touched since February 22, which was also the last entry date on his adventure blog.

He is described as Caucasian, 170cm tall and weighing 74kg.

He has blue eyes, brown hair which may be shaved and was carrying a medium blue/grey pack, possibly with sleeping mat attached.

- NZPA