Climbers flown off Aoraki/Mt Cook today

12.00pm


Four climbers brought off Aoraki/Mt Cook early today after being trapped for two days by severe weather are suffering little more than some minor effects of the cold.

Checked at Aoraki/Mt Cook park headquarters, they were found to have some frostbite, and one had a twisted ankle, Department of Conservation spokeswoman Shirley Slatter said.

A helicopter left Glentanner airfield at 8.30am to retrieve the group from Plateau Hut, after a sudden change in the weather brought about calm enough conditions for the pick-up.

When the four experienced climbers set out at 3.30pm on Wednesday, they had intended reaching the summit by about midnight and returning by daybreak on Thursday.

B ut they were caught by bad weather around 1.30am on Thursday, and did not make it to Plateau Hut until mid-afternoon yesterday, when they were able to make radio contact.

One of the climbers, Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger Erin Hawke, today said the group had needed to leave a snow cave in which they had taken shelter or they would have been buried alive.

Trekking guide Phurenje Sherpa said winds on the descent had been incredibly strong, but the climbers had been determined to stay alive.

They had been worried about the danger of an avalanche and he had prayed.

"Visibility was very poor but Rod (Barker) did a great job navigating down the Linda Glacier," he said.

Ms Slatter said the four were heading home for hot drinks and a well-deserved sleep before celebrating being back.

Ms Hawke and Mr Barker, also a DOC ranger, would be going to a family wedding where they would be celebrating more than just the nuptials, she said.

"Phurenje is celebrating at a party for locals leaving the village."

Rob Horsenail had to return to his job as a night porter at the Hermitage hotel.

- NZPA