KEY POINTS:
A climbing guide tried unsuccessfully to catch a Danish woman who tripped and fell 300m while climbing in the Mount Cook National Park this morning.
The 24-year-old woman is seriously ill in Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit after apparently hitting rocks during the fall near Annette Plateau, about 7.30am.
She was rescued by helicopter and then flown to Christchurch for treatment.
"The rescue was difficult," said Twizel police constable Brent Swanson.
"However the conditions were perfect and she was able to be directly loaded into the helicopter rather than having to be winched aboard."
The injured woman was one of four people on a basic mountaineering course led by a guide from Mount Cook's Alpine Guides Limited.
"The group had previously practised ice axe and crampon technique in good conditions near (Mueller) Hut," the company said in a statement.
"The snow was firm, but crusty in places. As the group set off for more training on the plateau, the woman tripped and was unable to self arrest. The female guide on the course tried to catch her, but was unsuccessful. It appears that the woman may have hit a rock during the fall."
Rescuers were called in by radio and the remainder of the group was flown by helicopter to Mount Cook Village.
Alpine Guides managing director Bryan Carter said the guide leading the group was fully qualified and highly experienced.
The company would fully investigate the incident.
