Research into dangers of backcountry skiing in Kosciusko

An area in the backcountry of Kosciuszko National Park where a 23-year-old man was found dead is “complex and technical” for skiing, an investigation has found.

The body of Andrew Keith Seton was found on a rock in Watsons Crags on September 5, 2022.

Watsons Crags is a challenging cross-country skiing destination involving walking and climbing located northwest of the Perisher ski area.

Mr Seton was an experienced skier and had appropriate equipment for off-piste skiing, including crampons, an ice axe and a personal locator beacon, the lawyer representing Jack Harris told the New South Wales District Court.

Backcountry skiers were required to complete a travel intention form, which was available online through NSW Parks and Wildlife.

Mr Seton did not complete a travel intention form, but told his mother, Janice, that he was going skiing at Watsons Crags on September 3 and was expected back at his car later that afternoon.

Douglas Chatten, tour operator at Snowy Mountains Backcountry Tours, said during the research that he doesn’t know many backcountry skiers who have completed a travel intention form.

“Well, I don’t know, my wife always knows what (his intentions) are,” he said Tuesday.

Backcountry enthusiast Hugh Newall testified that he didn’t fill out the form often.

“I think for me it’s just simplicity, it’s just quicker to let my dad know… but other than that I wouldn’t criticize the format.”

Mr Newall said Watsons Crags required a high level of craftsmanship.

“It is one of the most complex and technical ski areas in New South Wales,” he said.

“It may be great skiing conditions to start with, but if the sun hasn’t warmed up the snow yet, it can lead to very difficult icy conditions.”

Mr Chatten described the circumstances on the day Mr Seton disappeared as poor.

“I wouldn’t have gone skiing there that day… not a good day to decide to go skiing there,” he said.

When Mrs Seton still had no word from her son by late afternoon, she contacted Jindabyne Police Station to report a missing person.

Mr Seton was not formally reported missing. Police were keeping a close eye on the situation as they suspected he had either spent the night there or simply not informed his mother of his whereabouts, the investigation said.

That meant the search and rescue mission did not begin until the morning of September 5, two days after Ms Seton first raised her concerns with police.

Mr Seton’s body was found by POLAIR on the afternoon of 5 September on a rock at the bottom of the slide at Watsons Crags.

Mr Harris told the inquiry the purpose of the process was to determine whether regulation was needed, whether the police search and rescue efforts were adequate and whether it was necessary to make recommendations in relation to Mr Seton’s death.

The investigation will continue on Wednesday.