Climber missing

Searchers hold ‘‘grave concerns’’ for an Australian climber who has spent two nights in sub-zero conditions on Mt Aspiring near Wanaka.

Would-be rescuers were waiting for the wind and cloud to subside before flying into the area to begin their search yesterday.

The man’s beacon was seen moving north east from its last location about 5km away at Quarter Deck Pass just after 2.30pm yesterday.

New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ) spokesman Vince Cholewa said the 29-year-old was expected to return from the climb at about 12.30pm on Monday.

He set off up the mountain alone and lightly packed. A friend of the climber told police he was missing at 8am on Tuesday, Cholewa said.

‘‘Police found his car in the car park but

had no location for the climber.’’

Searchers later found the climber’s gear – cold weather gear, sleeping bag, cooker and food – at French Ridge Hut, Cholewa said.

‘‘It’s actually quite standard practice that climbers will be lightly equipped so they can move fast and climb to the top and then return.

‘‘That is why there are grave concerns for his safety as he doesn’t have the right equipment with him to be out overnight.’’

Cold, windy weather and very low cloud prevented Alpine Cliff Rescue (ACR) members flying into the area to begin their search, Cholewa said.

Two ACR members with cliff climbing equipment were stationed at Mt Aspiring Hut, while two others were with a helicopter awaiting a break in the weather.

‘‘Because the terrain is quite steep and rugged you can have quite localised weather as well so the two Alpine Cliff Rescue members in the huts if there is a break in the weather they can radio in the helicopter.

‘‘They (ACR teams) are not moving from the huts because the conditions would put them in danger.’’

If the weather breaks, ACR teams may work with night vision technology, he said.

RCCNZ received the man’s locator beacon activation signal at about 12.15pm on Tuesday, at Mt Aspiring.

A helicopter was dispatched and an ACR team was sent into the area.

The weather was bad and they were not able to get to where the beacon was activated, Cholewa said.

Police had notified the man’s family and the Australian Embassy.