All three women were wet, cold and anxious, so were given some food, warm drinks and dry clothing. Within half an hour the search team had prepared them for the hike down the track and they were escorted down in the dark.
Another search team met them half way down.
Mr Shepard said the women were not well dressed for the trip, during which they encountered rain, hail and cold winds.
The youngest of the three had discarded her shoes half way up the mountain and she was in bare feet and shorts when found. Her fainting was attributed to a pre-existing medical condition.
The trio is now on their way back to Hamilton, after receiving assistance from St John, Victim Support and police.
