With a break in the weather the recovery phase of Nicole Sutton and Hiroki Ogawa began this morning at about 6:50 am. The pair had been trapped near the summit of Mt Taranaki since Saturday night.
Rescuers managed to reach them by climbing to their position Monday morning but both climbers had passed away. Weather prevented any further recover attempts that day.
This morning Air Force personnel were able to drop Alpine Cliff Rescue team members on the mountain where the two climbers had been trapped. They have winched the pair off the mountain and have returned to New Plymouth. The recovery took just over an hour.
The matter will now be referred to the Coroner.
Ends