Mt Cook climbers found safe and well

The search for two men who activated an emergency locator beacon on Aoraki/Mt Cook on Friday has been stood down, following confirmation they are safe and well.

The Rescue Coordination Centre launched a search after receiving the beacon alert on Friday.

It was feared one of the tourists was suffering from hypothermia but poor visibility prevented a rescue helicopter entering the area until yesterday morning.

A Lakes District Air Rescue Trust helicopter then sighted two men matching the description of the tourists, apparently in good health and continuing their climb. They are due to walk out of the national park themselves today.

Mission coordinator Chris Henshaw says the sighting, combined with the fact the men's beacon had been switched off, satisfied the centre that the tourists were no longer in distress.

However the search could not be stood down until rescuers were 100 percent certain the men were safe and well.

"Department of Conservation staff have now spoken to the men via radio from one of the DOC huts on Aoraki/Mt Cook. They indicated that they suspected one had been suffering from hyperthermia on Friday, which is why they set off their beacon.

"However, after some warm food and hunkering down in a bivouac for the evening, upon reassessment of the situation yesterday morning, they both felt fit to continue on their way."

Mr Henshaw says the climbers did all the right things by taking emergency communications equipment with them, making sure friends knew where they were headed and raising the alarm when they had concerns for their safety.

- NEWSTALK ZB





- NZPA