KEY POINTS:
Search and Rescue have recovered a body presumed to be that of a missing Israeli tramper from Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
The body was recovered near Mueller Glacier by Alpine Rescue about 10.30am.
The Israeli tramper, aged in his 20s, was last seen at the Mueller Hut at 8.15am on Monday and had been due out of the park later that day.
An aerial search located the body yesterday but it could not be removed due to high winds, Department of Conservation (DOC) area manager Richard McNamara said.
"We got the crew in this morning where they could effect a lowering operation from the shelf where the body had come to rest and (move it) to an area where it could be recovered," he said.
Mr McNamara said the man appeared to have made a conscious decision to leave the track.
"For whatever reason this tramper has decided to go off the track and got himself into an area of danger and technical difficulty and fell," he said.
"It's one of those unfortunate, tragic accidents - it happens from time to time."
Mr McNamara said the Mueller track was a popular route used by 4000-4500 people per year.
The name of the tramper has not yet been released.
- NZPA
