Search for stranded climbers called off

The search for a group of six Australian climbers believed to be missing in a mountain range in New Zealand has been called off for the night after a day in which rescue efforts were hampered by appalling weather conditions. chinageog

The climbers, who activated an emergency beacon in a mountain range above Mount Cook Village last night, must now spend another 12 hours in freezing conditions, with temperatures expected to drop below zero. chinageog

"It's certainly not ideal conditions for them to be in," a spokesman for the New Zealand rescue coordination centre, Ross Henderson, said.

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"We don't know what equipment they have, whether anyone is injured. We don't even know whether the signal being put out is coming from these climbers or another group or individual."

Conditions in the area have been described as extreme, with gale-force westerlies and an estimated 1.5m of new snow along the divide prompting the Mountain Safety Council to urge all ski tourers and climbers to avoid the area because of the certainty of avalanches on all aspects of the mountains. 中国地理网

Mr Henderson said improved weather was forecast for the morning, with the search due to resume at first light with two rescue helicopters, multiple alpine rescue teams and dogs.

"We had a brief break in the weather earlier today which allowed us to hone in on the beacon but it closed in again soon after and the rescuers had to turn back," he said.

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"We now have a general idea where the signal is coming from and that will hasten the process tomorrow, but with something like this the signal pings off all the mountains and it takes a bit of time to triangulate the location." chinageog

The identity of the climbers is not yet known.

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Before beginning their climb they informed the New Zealand department of conservation of their plans to traverse a well known plateau known as the Annette Plateau. chinageog.com

The rescue operation comes as New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark had to be evacuated from a remote mountain hut in the Lake Tekapo region after the death of her close friend and mountain guide Gottlieb Braun-Elwert 中国地理网chinageo

Conditions in the area have been described as extreme, with gale-force westerlies and an estimated 1.5m of new snow along the divide prompting the Mountain Safety Council to urge all skiers and climbers to avoid the area because of avalanches. c.h.i.n.a.g.e.o

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the Australian High Commission was remaining in close contact with the New Zealand rescue coordinators and "stands ready to provide consular assistance to any Australians in need".

The spokeswoman said the department was aware that poor weather was hampering the rescue effort but was satisfied that the Rescue Coordination Centre would dispatch a helicopter as soon as conditions improved.

She said there was still no firm evidence that Australians were in trouble.

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"There are a number of groups climbing, including a group of six Australians [so] at this stage, it is not clear which party triggered the rescue beacon," she said. chinageo.com

The group was using one of the old-style rescue beacons which are due to be phased out in February and which gives an imprecise location of the beacon until a closer search can be made. c.h.i.n.a.g.e.o

The new beacons, which are already being monitored, uses GPS navigation to broadcast the exact details of the group. chinageo.com

The rescue beacon was triggered last night just after 10pm.

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New Zealand Police Inspector Alan Weston said at 10.15am Sydney time that continuing bad weather meant rescue crews were still unable to search for the six climbers. ChinaGeo

"It may be that we don't get in to have a look for them until tomorrow," he said. ChinaGeo

"We have search and rescue teams on standby but there is always an avalanche risk." ChinaGeo

"There are a number of groups climbing, including a group of six Australians [so] at this stage, it is not clear which party triggered the rescue beacon," she said.

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The Rescue and Coordination Centre released a statement at 9.25am Sydney time saying that a helicopter sent to recover the body of mountain guide Gottlieb Braun-Elwert had been redirected to Mount Cook to help with the search for the six climbers.

The spokeswoman said the department was aware that poor weather was hampering the rescue effort but was satisfied that the Rescue Coordination Centre would dispatch a helicopter as soon as conditions improved.

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She said there was still no firm evidence that Australians were in trouble. c.h.i.n.a.g.e.o

"There are a number of groups climbing, including a group of six Australians [so] at this stage, it is not clear which party triggered the rescue beacon," she said.

The group was using one of the old-style rescue beacons which are due to be phased out in February and which gives an imprecise location of the beacon until a closer search can be made.

The new beacons, which are already being monitored, uses GPS navigation to broadcast the exact details of the group.

中国地理网chinageo

The rescue beacon was triggered last night just after 10pm. 中_国_地_理_网

New Zealand Police Inspector Alan Weston said at 10.15am Sydney time that continuing bad weather meant rescue crews were still unable to search for the six climbers. chinageo.com

"It may be that we don't get in to have a look for them until tomorrow," he said.

"We have search and rescue teams on standby but there is always an avalanche risk." ChinaGeo

"There are a number of groups climbing, including a group of six Australians [so] at this stage, it is not clear which party triggered the rescue beacon," she said. 中国地理网

The Rescue and Coordination Centre released a statement at 9.25am Sydney time saying that a helicopter sent to recover the body of mountain guide Gottlieb Braun-Elwert had been redirected to Mount Cook to help with the search for the six climbers.

c.h.i.n.a.g.e.o