Canterbury Police can confirm that two climbers have been rescued from Mt Tasman in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park after they became stranded earlier today.
The two men, aged 28 and 30, from Queenstown were experienced climbers and set off at 3am this morning to climb the north shoulder of Mt Tasman, the second highest peak in New Zealand. When they were within 50m of the summit the snow, warm weather conditions and risk of avalanche prevented them from climbing any further or descending safely with snow anchors.
Canterbury Police led the rescue effort and The Helicopter Line, members from the Aoraki Mt Cook Rescue Team and Alpine Guides long-lined the men one at a time from Mt Tasman to a safe staging area at Plateau Hut before flying them to the Emergency Services Building at Mt Cook village.
The men used their cell phone to call emergency services and activated their beacon as the weather started to deteriorate.
Police urge anyone who is heading to the high country or southern alps over the long weekend to ensure that they check the weather forecast, tell someone of their intentions and carry appropriate equipment for all kinds of weather. In the remote areas of the southern alps a personal locator beacon is invaluable if you need to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404