Aoraki Mount Cook rescue: Injured climbers airlifted to safety after four nights stranded in hut

Department of Conservation staff and the Helicopter Line undertaking search and rescue operations, looking toward the South face of Mt Hicks. Photo / Department of Conservation

Two injured climbers stranded nearly 2500 metres up Aoraki/Mount Cook have been airlifted to safety - five days after they became stranded at a Department of Conservation hut.

Days of bad weather finally cleared this morning, allowing the Aoraki-Mt Cook Alpine Rescue Team to reach the pair.

The climbers had been held up in Empress Hut on Mt Cook, a difficult and technical location on New Zealand’s highest mountain,

Sergeant Samantha Stewart said they called police at 2.45pm on Tuesday, reporting they had frostbite but were taking shelter in the hut.

“Both climbers are receiving medical treatment for their injuries and despite what they’ve been through, they’re in good spirits and are very appreciative of the efforts that rescuers have made to get them,” she said.

“The pair were caught out by the weather, but thankfully they were experienced in climbing and very well prepared.

“They’ve had enough food with them for two weeks and plenty of warm clothing.”

Stewart said rescuers were in regular contact with the pair and their families.

A number of people were involved with the ongoing efforts to get the climbers off the mountain.

Two climbers have been rescued from high up at Aoraki/Mt Cook this morning after weather cleared. Photo / George Heard

“We’ve had rescuers on standby through the week, waiting for the opportunity to fly them off the mountain and we want to thank the Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Rescue Team from the Department of Conservation, and The Helicopter Line for their incredible efforts this morning,” Stewart said.

“The rescue got underway at 6.30am, and by 8.30am, the rescue team had reached the pair. Minutes later, they were back at the search and rescue base being assessed.”

The climbers will be taken to Christchurch Hospital for treatment.

“It’s a fantastic result,” said Stewart.

“We made one rescue attempt and considered other windows of opportunity, but each time the weather pushed us back.

“We had a narrow window of opportunity this morning, but we didn’t think it would be as good as it was.

“We were stoked to see them getting out of that helicopter, and they were very happy to see us too.”

Aoraki Search and Rescue supervisor George Loomes said the men had been well prepared for a long stay in the mountains.

Loomes praised the efforts of the pilots and crews for the Helicopter Line who managed to reach the men through a short window of good weather in extremely challenging terrain.

Poor weather conditions had meant rescuers were unable to reach the men any earlier.

The Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Rescue Team remained in communication with the men while they were at the hut.

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