Still no sign of tramper missing near Nelson

Searchers hunting for an English tourist missing in the Kahurangi National Park are having to "bush-bash" their way through the rugged terrain.

James Esbester, 30, started the Wangapeka track, at the southern end of the park, on Wednesday. The next morning he wrote in a hut log book that he planned to climb Mt Luna as a day trip.

However, on Saturday a tramping party raised the alarm after arriving at the hut and finding Mr Esbester's note and his equipment, including his passport and a sleeping bag.

The group tramped out and alerted police that night.

A search was launched immediately but had so far been unsuccessful.

Incident Controller Sergeant Mike Fitzsimons said this afternoon there were 15 teams searching Luna Peak, Biggs Tops and the ridge between the two, along with Meteor Creek.

"The terrain in the area is extremely rugged and searchers are having to bush-bash much of the way," Mr Fitzsimons said.

Four dog teams were searching, as was an Air Force Iroquois helicopter and specialist cavers, who were abseiling down bluffs. Some of the teams would stay in the bush overnight.

A helicopter equipped with vision equipment, which was deployed on Saturday night, would be used again tonight weather permitting.

More than 50 police, defence force, Fire Service and search and rescue volunteers are involved in the search.

- NZPA