KEY POINTS:
Four rescue teams searching for missing tramper Irina Yun in Wanaka's Mt Aspiring National Park were facing the possibility of having to spend last night in the park because of poor weather.
Ms Yun, 36, left Mt Aspiring Hut at 7am on Wednesday to cross the Cascade Saddle and was last seen at 9.30am halfway between the bush line and a spot near the saddle. She did not arrive at Dart Hut as planned.
Searchers put in a full day's work on Thursday but were kept back at base on Friday and most of Saturday as a stormy weather system moved over the region.
Rescuers resumed the search for Ms Yun about 3pm yesterday during a "small window" of clear weather, Wanaka search and rescue spokeswoman Anna Brent said.
She expected they might have to camp overnight if weather conditions deteriorated.
Ms Brent said it was unclear how much longer the search would continue.
"That depends on weather and how well the searching goes in the meantime."
Weather conditions had been marginal, she said.
"It's coming in and out."
Ms Brent said the team remained "optimistic" about the search.
"It was really wet and cold up there yesterday and there was new snow about.
"Obviously, the longer out from the time she went missing, the more difficult the search becomes.
"We are always hopeful of finding something," she said.
Ms Yun's former partner, Oleg Amiton, still holds out hope for her survival.
Mr Amiton and Ms Yun have a 4-year-old daughter, Liann, together.
He said Ms Yun may have been overconfident but was experienced in mountain climbing.
"She used to be a mountaineer in Kazakhstan. We feel that she is alive and very frightened," he said.
- NZPA
