18 Sep 2024

Injured climbers to spend another night on Aoraki/Mount Cook amid bad weather conditions

9:28 pm on 18 September 2024
Aoraki

Aoraki/Mount Cook, viewed from the Hooker Valley Track. Photo:

Two injured climbers are likely to spend another night at a hut on Aoraki/Mount Cook as rescuers are still unable to reach them.

Police were alerted after the climbers made it to a remote alpine hut and called the Department of Conservation on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday evening, police said the hut was on the mountain itself and more than 2000 metres altitude.

"Due to current weather conditions, Search and Rescue personnel have not been able to extract the pair from the mountain at this stage."

The police spokesperson said the weather was continuously being monitored for a suitable weather window.

"The Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Rescue Team remain in communication with the two people who have sufficient food and water for an extended stay."

MetService said weather at Mount Cook on Wednesday was partly cloudy with showers. There were northwesterlies, strong at times.

Thursday's weather was not looking good.

MetService was predicting heavy rain at times with thunderstorms possible from the morning, clearing in the evening.

There was also likely to be northerly winds, easing in the afternoon.