Plateau Hut

Plateau Hut has been assessed for ongoing rock and ice avalanche risk by GNS Science at the request of DOC. Since a significant rock avalanche from Mt Haast in 2013, several other large landslides have occurred in the central Southern Alps. These recent events prompted DOC to check whether the current risk assessment and management for Plateau Hut remain appropriate. This updated analysis considers new scientific data on local landslides and potential earthquakes, particularly from the Alpine Fault. It estimates the risk of death from avalanches to an individual spending 14 hours a day at the hut to be between 1 in 66,000 to 1 in 100,000 per day. Most of this risk comes from ice avalanches, especially those triggered by earthquakes, though this part of the assessment has lower confidence due to limited data. The study also looked at the risk of multiple fatalities based on pre-COVID visitor numbers and concluded that while such events are unlikely, they are possible in worst-case scenarios. The hut is mainly used by climbers and others seeking high-risk, remote experiences. Compared to other high-risk activities like climbing or helicopter travel, the daily risk at Plateau Hut is similar or lower. Overall, the risk level is considered 'substantial yet tolerable' for climbers and others with a high-risk tolerance, assuming risks are kept as low as reasonably practicable. However, it may be too high for people with a low risk tolerance. Regular users such as mountain guides should evaluate risk tolerability and value judgements based on both individual and group risk levels. GNS assessment of rock avalanche risk at Plateau Hut 2021 (PDF, 7,185K).