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ABC News
National

Emergency services search for missing back-country skier in Kosciuszko National Park

Emergency services have resumed a search this morning for a missing back-country skier in Kosciuszko National Park.   

The 23-year-old man from Canberra last made contact with family members on Saturday morning, when he parked his car at Guthega at 10am.

Commander of Monaro Police Superintendent John Klepczarek said a search began on Sunday after his family contacted police and will continue this morning.

"He is experienced and has stayed overnight before," he said.

"But since he hadn't contacted the family late yesterday, they did raise the alarm with police."

Police believe the man was in possession of a Personal Locator Beacon, limited day supplies, and adequate equipment for back-country conditions.

Police began a fresh round of searching at 7am with the assistance of SES and officers from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

"We've searched and been to a lot of the usual huts that are up there, that some skiers utilise when they get into a spot of difficulty,"  said Superintendent Klepczarek.

"But we're also aware this fellow is experienced and probably capable of making some shelter himself."

Family and friends on the scene

Police have called for privacy for the missing man's family, who remain at Guthega, and said not all family members had been contacted about today's search.

Meanwhile, friends of the 23-year-old, who were also experienced back-country skiers, have joined emergency services with the ground search and are helping guide them to remote locations which are considered popular among hikers.

Aerial support, Pol Air, is also expected to assist with search this afternoon to survey more remote, isolated parts of the mountain. 

"We have the family at the scene who have been very supporting and assisting emergency services," Superintendent Klepczarek said.

"We're hoping he's close by, maybe bunkered down but hopefully this morning we'll have some good news."

Weather 'a bit average'

The NSW SES has a specialist alpine and search unit based in Jindabyne, consisting of 30 trained members and eight snow mobiles, to assist with today's operations.

"We're really fortunate to have a lot of good land search operators," Deputy Zone Commander at South East SES Superintendent Matthew Price said.

"We have four of those up on the mountain today, with six operators and another member back at Jindabyne Police station supporting NSW Police.

"If it goes into multiple days, we'll keep sending members for support."

Mr Price has been told by crews on the ground that the weather was "bit average" on the mountain today, and the visibility "wasn't great".

But that has not distracted from the search.

"That's the trouble with the Kosciuszko main range -- it certainly gets some wild weather up there," he said.

"Hopefully our members will find this skier in the not too distant future."

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