At approximately 10pm last night (8 January 2015) three German hikers called 111 when they were bluffed out when they inadvertently went off-route while hiking over Ball Pass Crossing in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. An immediate rescue was not required as weather conditions were mild overnight and the three men, who were in their twenties, were not in any immediate danger when they called emergency services.
Canterbury Police Search and Rescue led the operation to rescue the hikers and at 8am this morning (9 January 2015) three DOC Alpine Rescue Team members were taken to the scene by a Helicopter Lines helicopter.
The hikers were short-roped to a location nearby where they could be hover-loaded into the helicopter.
The helicopter returned to the Aoraki Mt Cook Emergency Centre at approximately 9.30am. The hikers were uninjured but were very grateful for the help they received from Police, DOC and Helicopter Lines.
The three men did the right thing by stopping when they realised they were bluffed and calling for help. They were well prepared for their hike and had left details of their trip in the intentions book. The men are understood to be looking forward to continuing their holiday adventures in New Zealand and are now heading south to Fiordland where they said they will be hiring a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) before their next hike.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404
