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Police are hoping for a break in the weather today so they can resume their search for an Auckland tramper lost for three days in Mt Aspiring National Park.
Police hold grave concerns for the safety of Irina Yun, 36, who left Mt Aspiring Hut at 7am on Wednesday to cross the Cascade Saddle.
She was last seen at 9.30am halfway between the bush line and a spot near the saddle, and by evening had not arrived at the Dart Hut as planned.
Thursday was the "window of opportunity" for both helicopter and ground-based searchers as a storm moved into the area yesterday, halting the search.
Heavy rains and snow above 1800m on Wednesday had wiped out any footprints that searchers were keen to find.
"Snow was down fairly low last night and it's still raining now and it's obviously not a pleasant place to be, so we'll get into it as soon as we can tomorrow," Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said yesterday.
Searchers expect to resume an aerial and ground search again in the Dart/Cascade Saddle area.
Mr Nicholson said hut wardens in the park had been talking to other trampers, but there had been no further information.
Ms Yun had been heading for very steep tussock country where a number of creek crossings would have been quite high due to the rain. There were also bluffs and steep gullies that would have caused problems for her if she had fallen or slipped, he said.
"It's such a large amount of area between the point she was last seen and where she was going that it takes more than just a day's searching to try to cover that area significantly.
"We'll probably focus again on those bluffs and areas which could cause her most grief."
Police had considered the possibility Ms Yun might have left the park without letting anyone know, but decided that was unlikely.
"Just from a few inquiries we've been doing today, it seems like she's been keeping in touch with a few people up to the time she went into the Mt Aspiring Park, and she hasn't made any contact since," Mr Nicholson said.
She had wet weather gear, but was not believed to be carrying a tent.
Police are keen to hear from anyone who had seen Ms Yun.
She is of Uzbek descent, of medium build with long black hair and was wearing a yellow parka, green trousers and carrying a walking pole.
Ms Yun, who lives in Laingholm, has a 4-year-old daughter, Liann, who is currently with relatives.
- NZPA
