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An exhausted husband and wife climbing team was plucked from Franz Josef Glacier late last night after they became stranded by melting ice.
West Coast police Search and Rescue co-ordinator Constable Mike Tinnelly said the couple were attempting to climb to Castle Rock Hut on the glacier when they ran out of time and called police on a cellphone about 6.30pm.
"Both realised how hard it was and with five hours still to reach the hut decided they were getting too tired and too stressed with the conditions," Mr Tinnelly said this morning.
"The ice was melting quite quickly when they were cutting ice steps," he said.
Failing light prevented the West Coast Alpine Cliff Rescue team getting to the couple so the Christchurch-based Westpac Rescue helicopter equipped with night vision gear was called in.
Mr Tinnelly said the couple, believed to be from Canterbury, were lifted safely off the glacier about 11pm.
- NZPA
