2 August 2018

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ are still waiting for low cloud to lift to reach the missing Australian climber on Mt Aspiring.

RCCNZ Search and Rescue Officer Geoff Lunt said an attempt was made last night to reach the last known position of the climber and drop off two Alpine Cliff Rescue crew. Unfortunately the helicopter had to turn back due to low cloud in the area.

Southern Lakes rescue helicopter equipped with night vision flew with a paramedic and two Alpine Rescue crew but after making three attempts had to turn back after an hour.

“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, 31 July.

Two Alpine Rescue Crew 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 50-60 km an hour and the temperature at 1800m is between -2C and 0C.

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