Coroner’s Findings Spark Safety Advice After Skiing Tragedy
NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has issued key safety recommendations following a fatal skiing incident in Mt Aspiring National Park six years ago.
Coroner A H Steel released her findings in January 2025 into the death of American tourist David Dec. The 35-year-old experienced ski mountaineer died on 22 September 2018 when he slipped on ice and fell while attempting to ski Tititea/Mt Aspiring. MSC was asked to provide a report into the incident to assist with the coronial inquiry. This was undertaken alongside an independent technical advisor.
In her findings, the coroner highlights the value of MSC’s publicly available alpine safety and avalanche resources when preparing for mountaineering activities.
New Zealand’s 3,000m peaks are renowned worldwide for rapidly changing and variable conditions. High winds and fluctuating temperatures can create hard, icy surface conditions. Safety is paramount in these extreme alpine environments, where there is often no margin for error. Specialist equipment, skills and experience are essential to navigate them safely.
The Incident
David Dec had connected with fellow tourist Vojtech Miklas through a local ski touring Facebook page less than a week before they embarked on their multi-day ski mountaineering trip to climb and ski Tititea/Mt Aspiring. After staying at French Ridge Hut for a night and then Colin Todd Hut, the pair reached the summit of Mt Aspiring at approximately 9:30am on 22 September 2018.
After waiting for the snow to soften in the sun, the pair began to ski the North West Ridge, before pausing to inspect the snow on the more technical West Face, where they were concerned about ice. After assessing the conditions, they decided it was safe to proceed. However, they encountered variable snow conditions on the descent, including ice and stopped several more times to reassess their route before continuing. While navigating an icy section, David lost traction high on the West Face and fell.
Vojtech, a trained paramedic, successfully reached David, providing immediate medical assistance and activating an emergency location beacon at 1.55pm. Search and rescue teams reached the pair at approximately 3pm. Despite the rapid response, David had died from the traumatic injuries sustained in the fall before they arrived.
MSC’s Report
In its report to the coroner, MSC found that while the pair had the necessary skills and alpine experience to undertake the technical route in good conditions, the icy conditions on the day coupled with the exposed terrain meant that any fall was likely to result in major injuries or death, commonly referred to as a “no fall zone”.
It concluded that psychological factors, in particular the ‘commitment’ trap, was likely to have played a role in the pair’s decision-making, with the impulse to continue descending towards the hut on skis, despite dangerous conditions, too difficult to resist.
The pair’s relatively new mountaineering partnership was also identified as a likely contributing factor. Successful partnerships in ski mountaineering are built on foundations of trust, open communication and methodical decision-making, and are particularly critical in high-consequence situations. Typically, these partnerships develop over time, on less challenging objectives. As David and Vojtech had only just met, it is possible that this lack of familiarity may have hindered their decision-making.
MSC made a number of key recommendations in its report. By sharing these, we hope to prevent similar incidents and support safe participation in mountain activities.
MSC extends our sincere condolences to David’s family and friends.
MSC’s Recommendations
- Build mountaineering partnerships through progressively more challenging climbs before attempting more technical objectives.
- Establish key decision-making points on your selected route and the conditions that are expected at each point. If conditions are different than what you anticipated, consider moving to a Plan B or utilise other travel techniques (such as transitioning to crampons or setting up a belayed lower).
- For international mountaineers and backcountry skiers travelling to Aotearoa, ensure you research and familiarise yourself with the unique challenges and conditions that can exist in New Zealand’s alpine environment
- Have equipment, skills and experience necessary to prevent a fall in high-consequence terrain, including protecting yourself during exposed transitions, and utilising a rope and anchor for managing un-skiable sections
Whilst not a key factor in this incident, MSC recommends backcountry skiers and ski mountaineers carry avalanche rescue equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and know how to use them.
For more information about alpine safety, see the MSC website here.
PHOTO CREDIT Mt Aspiring | Tai Naka