Climber rescued from NZ's Mount Cook

PHOTO

The two men from Tokyo had become stuck 3,700 metres up Mount Cook in the South Island in very bad weather. [AAP]

Last Updated: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 08:44:00 +1100

Rescuers in New Zealand have rescued a climber and recovered the body of a Japanese mountain guide who were trapped in the southern Alps for more than a week.

Our New Zealand correspondent Kerri Ritchie reports the two men from Tokyo had become stuck 3,700 metres up Mount Cook in the South Island in very bad weather.

Police say the men were well equipped.

A rescue crew picked up a 51-year-old man on Friday morning, and police say it's miraculous he survived the ordeal.

He has frostbite to his ears nose and face, but is otherwise is good health, and is being flown to Christchurch hospital for treatment.

His 49-year-old mountain guide died on Thursday night.

Inspector Dave Gaskin says it's a sad end to a difficult rescue mission.

"It just appears that during the night he's got out in the open which we suspect is because the tent has blown away and he's perished during the night," he said.

"The weather has been horrific all day yesterday and all night and early this morning."