KEY POINTS:
A climber has been found dead in Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park, less than a week after experienced Wanaka mountain guide Anton Wopereis was killed near the top of the mountain.
The body of a man, aged about 60, was recovered from a steep ravine, south of Aoraki-Mt Cook,
yesterday afternoon.
Last night police were still trying to formally identify him and to notify next-of-kin.
The body was spotted yesterday morning by a 33-year-old Wellington man who was tramping from Barron Saddle to Dobson Valley.
The saddle is at the head of the Mueller Glacier.
The man saw what looked like a body in the ravine about 8am and climbed down to check.
When he found the man was dead, he activated his personal locator beacon about 8.30am and then began climbing up the ravine.
When he reached the top, about three hours later, he was in sight of the Aspiring Helicopters helicopter sent by the Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
Because of the difficult terrain, another helicopter, from The Helicopter Line, Mt Cook, was sent in to recover the body and the tramper.
The recovery was assisted by Department of Conservation staff and police.
Constable Carl Pedersen of Twizel said a climber was overdue, according to an intentions book for travel in the area. He was "not that far" overdue and his emergency contact needed to be informed.
Wanaka alpine guide and search and rescue member Gary Dickson, who flew to the site with Aspiring Helicopters pilot Alex Ewing, said it was classic alpine park terrain, suitable for an advanced tramper or "semi"-mountaineer.
It was a very tricky area to fly into as the wind came over the saddle, causing turbulent air conditions, and Ms Ewing flew "incredibly well".
The nearest helicopter to respond to a beacon activation was at Glentanner, near Mt Cook, but that machine had broken down and so the helicopter from Wanaka was sent as it was the next closest and 40 minutes flying time away, Mr Dickson said.
The dead climber was about a third of the way down a snow and rock face.
Mr Dickson could not see any of his tracks and did not know where he "came to grief".
It was the climbing season so people were "out and about" and there was a lot going on in the back country. "It's just one of those tragic accidents that can happen in the back country," he said.
* A service for Mr Wopereis, 54, who fell 60m on Aoraki-Mt Cook on New Year's Day, will be held in the Lake Wanaka Centre today at 2pm.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
