Mount Taranaki. File photo / Mark Mitchell
An inexperienced climber who lost his nerve ascending Mt Taranaki had to be helped down by rescuers.
The 41-year-old Te Awamutu man set off up the mountain about 4.30am today and decided to climb to the summit once he reached the crater.
The man got near the top and lost
his nerve on loose shingle, Taranaki search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Andrew Ross said.
"It's quite rocky and loose sort of rock up there. He just basically lost his confidence and couldn't go up and couldn't go down, and didn't really know what to do,'' he said.
The Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter was sent to his aid with an alpine rescue team member.
