Police searching for a missing 83-year-old possum hunter in North Canterbury say the chances of him being found alive now are very slim.
Allan Hill, from Loburn, went into the Ashley Gorge on Wednesday and was not equipped for an overnight stay.
Police say strong north-westerly winds have stopped them using helicopters to ferry teams into the dense bush.
Search co-ordinator, Sergeant Tony Tully, says Search and Rescue teams have now covered 70 percent of the area where they think Mr Hill could be.
But he says Mr Hill will now be spending his fourth night out in the open and the chances of finding him are not good.
