Weather continues to stall search for US tramper

Bad weather is continuing to hamper the search for an American tramper who has been missing, probably in Nelson Lakes National Park, for nearly six weeks.

Ed Reynolds, 39, was last seen by trampers in the park on February 23.

Tasman district assistant search and rescue co-ordinator Sherp Tucker said today that it was unlikely any more searchers would be put into the bush for the next two to three days.

But, he said, police were continuing a large investigation on possible sightings of the Pennsylvania engineer outside the area.

"We've had four possible sightings and it's a matter of letting people's memories sort of get back to four or five weeks ago on all of these occasions," Mr Tucker said.

"Most of them (the sightings) are basically in the Murchison area, and there is a possibility he left our physical mountain search area and was sighted afterwards."

Mr Tucker said police intended researching some of the original search area as soon as conditions allowed.

The new search would include the path from Three Tarn Pass to the Ada Hut and between East Matakitaki Hut and Bob's Hut in the Matakitaki Valley.

Mr Tucker this week told NZPA there was no chance Mr Reynolds was still alive in the bush.

He described Mr Reynolds as "an experienced trekker from overseas".

"I wouldn't call him an experienced tramper in New Zealand."

Mr Reynolds has been described as an "ultra-light tramper" with little equipment, to the point that he had a watch face but no strap. He had no high visibility gear or locator beacon.

Ultra-light trampers could come unstuck with New Zealand's weather, which could change rapidly, according to the search team.

- NZPA