The search comes after a woman caught in a blizzard while tramping in Nelson Lakes National Park died from severe hypothermia after battling the extreme conditions on Saturday night.
The family member she was tramping with made it to Angelus Hut during the night to raise the alarm after they were unable to get cellphone reception.
But the 55-year-old woman spent the night exposed to the elements, battling a -16C chill and blustery 80km/h winds.