Rescued tramper vows to complete climb

A broken ankle, an overnight in the open in freezing temperatures, and a 10-hour stretcher carry down a mountainside by rescuers has not deterred tramper Dawn Wood.

After being rescued yesterday from 2160m-high Scotts Knob, near Blenheim, the 43-year-old Motueka woman has vowed to return to the peak to complete the climb she missed out on at the weekend.

"I didn't quite make it to the peak. I was about 100 metres short so I'd like to go up there again on a nice sunny day," she told the Marlborough Express from her Blenheim hospital bed.

Pale and strained after a sleepless night in the emergency department, Ms Wood said she wanted to thank her 25-strong team of rescuers who carried her down the mountain on a stretcher through treacherous country.

The accident happened on Sunday afternoon as she came down the mountain.

Although she heard a snap she had no idea she had broken her ankle until she tried to stand and felt the pain rush.

Poor weather meant she was unable to be rescued by helicopter.

She spent Sunday night in the bush with her partner and fellow climber Andrew Smith.

Ms Wood was part of a 12-strong party from Nelson Marlborough Alpine Climbing Club, which rescuers described as well prepared.

- NZPA