Two climbers have been rescued after being caught in an avalanche in the Remarkables Range near Queenstown.
Photo: Bernard Spragg, CC1.0
The avalanche came down on Double Cone on Tuesday, but it took several attempts to reach the climbers who managed to get themselves out of the snow uninjured.
Police said the climbers were able to move to relative safety, but could not make it off the mountain because of the avalanche danger.
Weather conditions were poor, with strong winds and snow drift affecting visibility.
A rescue team twice tried to reach the climbers by helicopter on Tuesday but was hampered by bad weather, so they were forced to build a snow cave and shelter overnight.
Police said the climbers were experienced mountaineers and well equipped for a night in a snow cave.
Rescuers again tried to reach the pair by air yesterday morning, but the bad weather made it impossible.
The helicopter was later able to land 1.2 kilometres away and 300 metres below the climbers’ position.
The rescue team eventually reached them in difficult conditions shortly after 10.45am, police said.
The weather then cleared enough for the helicopter to fly in and take the climbers and rescue crew back to Queenstown.
Police said the climbers were shaken by the ordeal and believed there was no way they could have made it off the mountain without help because of the avalanche risk.
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