KEY POINTS:
A search and rescue operation today found two trampers in the Arthur's Pass area after picking up their emergency beacon signal yesterday afternoon.
Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ) spokesman Ross Henderson said today it was unknown at this stage if there were any others in the group, or their status.
RCCNZ had received no reports of anyone overdue or missing in the area. The pair's condition was also unknown, he said.
"The Greymouth-based Solid Energy Rescue helicopter located the pair waving a piece of yellow fabric near Cascade Rock in the Campbell Pass area of Arthur's Pass National Park at around 9.45am today, after picking up the distress beacon and homing in.
"However, continuing poor weather means they cannot be winched out at this stage.
"A ground-based search and rescue team will now attempt to make their way to the group on foot," Mr Henderson said.
He said the emergency beacon was picked up about 2.30pm yesterday and a search was immediately launched.
Bad weather restricted initial efforts by the Christchurch-based Westpac Rescue helicopter to locate the source accurately.
The police search and co-ordination centre in Greymouth was now organising a specialist cliff rescue team based in Fox Glacier, Mr Henderson said.
"The idea is get the team into Julia Hut in the area and they will go on foot from there for the rescue and hopefully find the people and assess the situation.
The search also involved the Department of Conservation's field office in Arthur's Pass township and police.
- NZPA
