The rescue operation on Explorer Glacier, high about the Fox Glacier on the West Coast of the South Island has resumed this morning.
A German woman fell into a crevasse on the glacier yesterday afternoon.
Her climbing companion, a doctor, made it down the crevasse to the injured woman and made her safe by securing her to the ice face. His initial assessment was that she had a broken leg and arm and other possible injuries.
He then made it to Pioneer Hut and raised the alarm.
About 6pm a rescue team of three people reached the woman and stayed with her overnight in the crevasse.
The rescue team said this morning she was very cold and in a lot of pain.
They intend to strop her out of the crevasse to a staging point from where they can fly her to Franz Josef medical centre.
A rescue helicopter is traveling from Christchurch to take her from there to Christchurch Hospital.
Police described the pair as experienced and well-equipped mountaineers.
end