Climbing Mount Taranaki requires experience, knowledge and the right equipment.
A climber who fell almost 600 meters from Mount Taranaki on New Zealand’s North Island this weekend survived with only minor injuries. The climber, who has not yet been identified, was part of a group trying to climb the mountain when he lost his balance and slipped. He fell down a steep slope and tumbled over rocks and ice.
According to the New Zealand Police, police were alerted that a climber had fallen while climbing with a group around the maker’s entrance near the summit at 12 noon on Saturday, September 9. When they were visible, another member of the group climbed down to locate them.
A member of the Taranaki Alpine Rescue team responded quickly this weekend to help locate a fallen climber on Mount Taranaki. The rescue member happened to be climbing in the area at the time of the accident. The climber was located by their groupmate and the Alpine Rescue climber had minor injuries. They had lost their ice ax and crampons during the fall. The rescue member helped the climber down the mountain, where they were reunited with the rest of their group.
“Thanks to recent spring weather, the ice has softened and climbers have fallen through the snow. He is exceptionally lucky to be alive. These are challenging areas and when something goes wrong there are often serious consequences,” police said. a press release.
According to the police statement, the incident took place at the exact location where, tragically, two climbers died two years ago.
