Rescued soldier wants to be at work

AUSTRALIAN soldier Terry Harch — rescued from Mt Aspiring on Friday — says he can’t wait to report back for duty.

Lieutenant Harch spent several days trapped on the mountain because of bad weather, but a brief break in the weather allowed Wanaka Alpine Rescue to retrieve him.

He is now recuperating in Dunedin Hospital, where he is being treated for what is understood to be is mild frostbite on his hands, and dehydration.

Yesterday afternoon, Lt Harch’s family released a statement through the Australian Defence Ministry, which said he wished to return to his duties as an officer in the Australian Army as quickly as possible.

‘‘We would particularly like to thank the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre, Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue and Mount Cook Cliff Rescue for their work in saving his life — without these rescue services and their dedicated staff, he might not have survived.’’

A search and rescue operation for Lt Harch began on Tuesday after he activated his rescue locator beacon, but poor weather meant rescuers could not reach the climber until Friday afternoon.

Lt Harch was said to have used his military training and mountaineering skills to shelter from the freezing conditions.

Four Wanaka Alpine Rescue crew members were also dropped off to look after him with warm clothing, tents and food.

Lt Harch’s family also paid tribute to these looking after him, after the rescue.

‘‘We would also like to express our thanks to the staff and doctors of the Dunedin Hospital who have cared for Mr Harch and assisted in his recovery,’’ they said.

Lt Harch is an experienced climber who had previously scaled Mt Cook for charity.

In January 2013, he also had to be airlifted to safety — this time from Mt Tasman, along with a British climber. The pair had spent two nights sheltering in a narrow crevasse below a massive ice cliff, after veering off course while making their descent.

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ watch leader Neville Blakemore said if it were not for Lt Harch’s climbing experience, the outcome would not have been so positive.

‘‘We believe he made a snow cave to stay warm. He’s an experienced climber, an Australian army captain so has probably done a lot of survival training,’’ Mr Blakemore said. — Additional reporting RNZ