A 29-year-old Australian man, who has been missing on Mount Aspiring since Tuesday, has been found alive despite terrible weather and temperatures that have plummeted well below zero for the past two nights.

He was located just north of the plateau at Quarterdeck Pass, and is said to have suffered “slight frostbite”.

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Mike Roberts said “it’s extraordinary” that the man was standing up and waving at 5pm, when the Southern Lakes and Mt Aspiring helicopters arrived.

A Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue team and paramedic were dropped by helicopter and are staying with the climber “who is good spirits”. He is being provided with much needed hot food and drinks. The group will be evacuated tomorrow dependent on the weather.

“The pilots did an amazing job to fly in and out, despite the low cloud tonight. It has just hung around the mountain for days and hampered our search efforts. The helicopter crews, Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue team and Police all deserve the highest praise for the work they’ve done over the past two days - and particularly tonight,” said Mike Roberts.

RCCNZ said that the rescue should serve as a warning for trampers and climbers in winter that they need to be properly prepared and carry a beacon.

His next of kin have been notified of the good news.

Earlier post: Low cloud affects search effort Posted: 2pm Thurs 02 Aug, 2018 

Low cloud and the risk of avalanches are hampering the search effort for a missing climber on Mount Aspiring.

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ was this morning, waiting for low cloud to lift to reach the missing Australian climber on Mount Aspiring.

RCCNZ Search and Rescue Officer Geoff Lunt said an attempt was made last night to reach the last known position of the climber.

A Southern Lakes rescue helicopter, equipped with night vision, flew with a paramedic and two ACR crew but after making three attempts had to turn back.

“As well as the poor weather conditions, there is a high risk of avalanches that is hampering the search assets from reaching the climber’s position” said Geoff.

There are grave concerns for the 29-year-old man’s safety after he triggered his Spot device around lunchtime on Tuesday, July 31.

Two ACR members are maintaining a weather watch from the French Ridge hut and will call for a helicopter through the Wanaka SAR base if the cloud lifts.

The weather forecast for today is heavy rain, some thunderstorms, northerly winds of 50-60kph and the temperature at 1800m is between -2C and 0C.

RELATED: Missing climber’s gear left at hut Posted: 11:56am Wed 01 Aug, 2018

Photo: French Ridge but by @laurajaas on Instagram  

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