Climber’s rescue thwarted by bad weather

POOR weather continued to hamper attempts to rescue an Australian climber from Mt Aspiring last night, and while there is grave concern about his condition, rescuers were encouraged by movement of the man’s emergency beacon yesterday afternoon.

A New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre spokeswoman said a helicopter and crew equipped with nightvision goggles were based close to Aspiring Hut and remained on standby overnight, in case there was a break in the weather that would allow them to drop a bag containing clothing, equipment and food to the climber.

Last night, it was still raining, there was heavy snow on the mountain at times and 35kmh northerly winds, she said.

It was preventing a rescue team reaching the man, who is in his late 20s, on foot or by air.

‘‘Unfortunately, it is still not a great weather situation at the moment, and [today’s] forecast is not that good either.

‘‘We’re still very concerned for this climber.’’

The climber’s beacon was seen to move a short distance to the northeast about 2.30pm yesterday, and rescuers said it was ‘‘a good sign’’.

However, they were still very concerned for the man because he was lightly equipped.

Members of the alpine cliff rescue team found most of the man’s equipment at French Ridge hut.

A spokesman believed the man had equipped himself lightly for a fast climb and return, which was ‘‘common practice’’.

‘‘While he was well equipped for the trip, he was climbing lightly equipped and most of his gear — his heavier cold weather gear, sleeping bag, food and the like — are at the hut and not with him.’’

The man set off his beacon at the edge of the Bonar Glacier at 12.15pm on Tuesday.