The Australian climber stuck on Mt Aspiring for seven days has been rescued after a break in the poor weather that had hampered the rescue efforts.
It was deja vu for an Australian climber plucked from Mt Aspiring by rescue helicopters after several days stuck on the mountain - he had also been rescued from Mt Tasman in a major helicopter mission in 2013.
Lieutenant Terry Harch - a 29-year-old Australian Army officer - was airlifted from the mountain late on Friday after seven days there.
He had set off his beacon at the edge of the Bonar Glacier at 12.15pm on Tuesday.
It wasn't the first time Harch had called on the Rescue Coordination Centre's Search and Rescue crew - he had been helped off Mt Tasman after spending two nights trapped there in 2013.
The Aussie, who at the time was 23, and a 25-year-old British man were reported missing to the Department of Conservation after they failed to return from their climb on Saturday.
Soldier On is delighted that Terry Harch has been found safe and well in New Zealand. Terry is an extraordinary Australian and his previous efforts to raise much needed funds for Soldier On by climbing Mount Cook will never be forgotten #safeandwellpic.twitter.com/lC6dyQcVx4
In the most recent rescue, Harch was found by Search and Rescue with some "slight frostbite", just north of the plateau at Quarterdeck Pass.
A Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue team and paramedic were staying with Harch, who was found to be "in good spirits".
He was now recovering from frostbite in Dunedin Hospital.
Rich Raynes, Davie Robinson and Anthea Fisher helped rescue the Australian from Mt Aspiring on Friday. Photo / Wanaka Search and Rescue
The rescue was complicated by strong winds - which were too strong to allow the helicopter to winch the climber off the mountain.
However, the rescue team with a paramedic managed to get on to the snow elsewhere and trek to Harch's location near Quarterdeck Pass on Friday.
RCCNZ said that the rescue should serve as a warning for trampers and climbers in winter that they need to be properly prepared and to carry a beacon.
The Australian man would likely not have lasted another night, say those who found him.
Harch is believed to have dug a snow cave and is said to have mild frostbite on his hands.
Rescue helicopter pilot, Sir Richard Hayes (centre) escorts Lieutenant Terry Harch, still in the rescue basket, as he is taken from the rooftop helipad into Dunedin Hospital.
Southern Lakes Helicopters pilot Sean Mullally said when they flew up the mountain yesterday evening they initially could not see Harch.
Conditions were too poor to attempt to winch the climber off the mountain, so they dropped four Wanaka Alpine Rescue crew members who skied across the mountain to where his beacon was last located.
