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\nTwo climbers await rescue on a mountainside near Sabre Peak.
\nPhoto: Southern Lakes Helicopters\n<\/p>\n
Two climbers have been rescued from Fiordland National Park, after spending three nights stranded on a steep mountainside, sheltering in a bivouac through severe weather.<\/p>\n
Southland Search and Rescue needed three attempts to extract them from near Sabre Peak, after a personal locator beacon was detected in the area on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n
One of the climbers contacted his brother via satellite text messages, triggering a second rescue attempt, but they were finally removed on Friday.<\/p>\n
“About 7am today, the Southern Lakes Helicopter crew successfully located the climbers and carried out a 100 foot longline extraction from the mountainside,” said rescue co-ordinator Dougall Henderson. “Their survival is remarkable.<\/p>\n
“They had been stranded on the steep mountainside for three nights, sheltering in a two-person bivvy and sleeping bags, which became saturated during prolonged exposure to severe weather.<\/p>\n
“They had run out of food and believed they would not have survived another night on the mountain.”<\/p>\n
The climbers were checked over by a doctor on board the helicopter and transported to Te Anau for further examination.<\/p>\n
Sergeant Henderson said the outcome highlighted both good decision-making by the climbers and the challenges faced by rescue services in alpine environments.<\/p>\n
“The climbers made the right decision to activate their beacon early and remain in place, once the weather deteriorated,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They were well equipped and they communicated clearly, using satellite messaging, and that allowed rescuers to make informed decisions, while waiting for a safe weather window.<\/p>\n
“This was also an outstanding effort by the helicopter crew, operating in an extreme and unforgiving alpine environment.<\/p>\n
“Their ability to safely locate and extract the climbers using a longline technique prevented what could have been a far more serious outcome.”<\/p>\n
The incident was a timely reminder of the unpredictability of Fiordland weather and the limitations of rescue operations in mountainous terrain.<\/p>\n
“Even when help is on the way, adverse weather can delay rescue efforts,” Sergeant Henderson said.<\/p>\n
“People heading into alpine or remote areas need to plan conservatively, monitor forecasts closely and carry appropriate emergency equipment – including a PLB or satellite communication device, or both.”<\/p>\n