He claimed the group had a "gung-ho" attitude, as it didn't have enough snow climbing equipment.
He didn't understand why the couple made the fatal decision to hunker down for the night, rather than head back down like he did.
Yet he acknowledged Mr Ogawa saved his life, by helping him traverse a dangerous part of the climb in the snow.
The families' lawyer, Hanne Janes, said Mr Ogawa and Miss Sutton were experienced trampers, who were very meticulous about everything they did.
She questioned whether police should have had a more comprehensive list of different rescue aircraft capabilities at the ready.
Ms Janes said the two helicopters initially deployed during the rescue couldn't cope with the weather, and questioned whether a different aircraft could have been sourced more quickly.
The couple had been climbing as part of the New Zealand Alpine Club's annual trip to the mountain.
Ms Sutton, 29, and Dr Ogawa, 31, died after sheltering in an ice trench near the summit for two nights in bad weather.
A search and rescue party reached the pair early on the morning of Monday, October 28, but found Dr Ogawa already dead.
Ms Sutton died before rescuers were able to get her off the mountain.
Their bodies were winched off by the Air Force the following day.
The inquest is expected to continue for the whole week.
