Nelson Lakes Backcountry now equipped with a new remote weather camera for real-time meteorological monitoring.

In a bid to improve safety and weather monitoring in the backcountry of Nelson Lakes National Park, a remote mountain camera has been installed near the most popular hut and overnight hike. This initiative comes from the Department of Conservation (DOC) in New Zealand, in collaboration with the Mountain Safety Council (MSC).

The camera, located above Angelus Hut and Rotomaninitua/Lake Angelus, will capture the terrain around the hut, looking south. It will provide beneficial insight into current weather and conditions for trampers, and significantly improve the data available for the Nelson Lakes regional New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA).

The footage from the camera will show a range of key slopes that avalanche forecasters will benefit from seeing during the winter. The north facing slope of Pourangahau/Mt Robert, for instance, can be misleading, as conditions further along the ridge are not the same. The camera will allow avalanche forecasters to assess the snow coverage across a range of terrain aspects and elevations, which is of particular importance for this region due to its challenging nature for avalanche forecasting.

The benefits of this camera go far beyond just supporting avalanche forecasting. According to the MSC Chief Executive, the new camera offers many benefits for a wide range of backcountry enthusiasts. The camera footage will serve as a vital tool for visitor center staff to showcase the true conditions to visitors, providing a more informed decision-making process for those planning trips to the park.

The camera structure has been designed to minimise its visual impact and physical footprint, while withstanding harsh alpine conditions. The one-year trial of the camera is supported by Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō. Should the process be deemed a success, the camera is intended to become permanent.

For further comments, contact Communications Advisor Rebekah Wilson at rebekah.wilson@our website or DOC Nelson Lakes Operations Manager John Wotherspoon on 027 8397139. The images from the camera and the Angelus Hut and Tracks report can be found here, while more information about the NZAA can be learned here. The new remote mountain camera footage can be found here.