Autopsy Results Incite Safety Warnings Following Skiing Accident
In the heart of New Zealand's breathtaking landscape lies Mt Aspiring National Park, a playground for international mountaineers and backcountry skiers. However, its unique alpine environment presents challenges that must be met with caution and preparation, as highlighted by a tragic incident in 2018.
Following the fatal skiing accident involving American tourist David Dec, the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has issued safety recommendations to reduce risks and improve safety outcomes during ski mountaineering in the park.
The MSC advises researchers to familiarise themselves with the park's unique conditions and challenges, such as rapidly changing and variable weather conditions that can create hard, icy surface conditions. Key decision-making points should be established on a selected route, and changes in conditions should prompt consideration of Plan B or alternative travel techniques.
Safety is paramount in these extreme environments, where there is often no margin for error. Specialist equipment, skills, and experience are essential to navigate these environments safely. The MSC recommends carrying essential avalanche safety equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe, and knowing how to use them effectively.
Assessing avalanche risk and snow conditions carefully is also crucial. This includes understanding and identifying wind slabs and glide avalanches, typical in Mt Aspiring / Tititea National Park during the season. Using additional tools such as a slope inclinometer to assess slope angles is important for evaluating avalanche danger.
Gaining knowledge about avalanche terms, tips, and regional conditions through MSC educational resources and advisories is also recommended. These resources include videos and real-time updates on avalanche conditions in Mt Aspiring National Park.
Successful mountaineering partnerships are built on trust, open communication, and methodical decision-making, particularly in high-consequence situations. The 'commitment' trap, a psychological factor, likely played a role in the pair's decision-making during the descent.
The incident involved David Dec, who connected with fellow tourist Vojtech Miklas through a local ski touring Facebook page less than a week before their multi-day ski mountaineering trip. On September 22, 2018, they reached the summit of Mt Aspiring at approximately 9:30am.
During the descent, David lost traction on an icy section of the West Face and fell, resulting in his death. In its report to the coroner, the MSC found that the icy conditions and exposed terrain on the day made any fall likely to result in major injuries or death.
Coroner A H Steel released her findings in January 2025, highlighting the value of MSC's alpine safety and avalanche resources. The MSC extends its condolences to David Dec's family and friends.
In summary, the MSC’s recommendations stress rigorous preparation, carrying and mastering avalanche safety equipment, continuous assessment of snow and terrain conditions, and ongoing education to reduce risks and improve safety outcomes during ski mountaineering in Mt Aspiring National Park. This approach aims to prevent incidents like the fatal one in 2018 by promoting informed and cautious decision-making in the alpine environment. For more information about alpine safety, visit the MSC website.
To enhance safety while ski mountaineering in Mt Aspiring National Park, researchers should familiarize themselves with the park's unique conditions and challenges, such as rapidly changing weather and icy surfaces. It's crucial to plan for alternative travel techniques when conditions change and to carry essential avalanche safety equipment like a transceiver, shovel, and probe, knowing how to use them effectively.
The MSC also emphasizes the importance of ongoing education, including understanding avalanche terms, tips, and regional conditions through their resources and advisories. Knowledge about wind slabs, glide avalanches, and slope inclinometer usage can significantly aid in evaluating avalanche danger.
