Climber ‘up and waving’
AFTER two nights and three days trapped on Mt Aspiring in ‘‘terrible weather’’, a climber was ‘‘standing up and waving’’ when two helicopters finally reached him late yesterday afternoon.
While the 29yearold Australian soldier could not be lifted off the mountain last night, a Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue team and a paramedic were dropped half an hour’s walk from the climber near Quarterdeck Pass.
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand search and rescue mission coordinator Mike Roberts said last night when the rescuers reached the man they found he had ‘‘slight frostbite’’ but was in good spirits.
‘‘He is being provided with much needed hot food and drinks.’’
Two helicopters reached the man during the first break in the weather since his emergency beacon was activated at midday on Tuesday.
‘‘The pilots did an amazing job to fly in and out, despite the low cloud,’’ Mr Roberts said.
Throughout yesterday, the mountain was being lashed by heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds, and it was not until 5pm the helicopters managed to reach him.
Mr Roberts said the climber and his rescuers would be evacuated from the mountain today, weather depending.
There had been ‘‘grave concerns’’ for the climber when it was found he had left most of his equipment in the French Ridge hut, and when his beacon did not move.
Hopes were revived on Wednesday afternoon when the beacon moved a short distance.
It was also known the man knew how to build a snowcave.
Professional guide Whitney Thurlow said yesterday a snowcave was ‘‘really the only option’’ for the man to stay alive.
‘‘The temperature warms up to about zero degrees, which isn’t particularly cold compared to outside, plus the big thing is you’re out of the wind.
‘‘A tent wouldn’t survive up there . . . it’d blow away.’’
Mr Thurlow said Quarterdeck Pass was a ‘‘very high narrow ramp of snow’’. He believed the poor conditions were likely to have played a part in the man’s getting stuck.
‘‘There’s very big cliffs to the left and right of you and if you can’t find it then you’ve got a big problem.
From his experience, Mr Thurlow said it was not a good time of year to be climbing the mountain.
‘‘The ways to climb Mt Aspiring in winter all involve steep slopes which can be dangerous avalanche slopes.
‘‘Typically, the avalanche danger is too high so most people don’t climb at this time of year.’’
A rescue centre spokesman said the man’s experience should serve as a warning for trampers and climbers to be properly prepared and carry a beacon.
In all, the soldier has spent almost seven days on the mountain in subzero temperatures, in heavy snow and high winds.