Climber survives 2,000-foot fall from New Zealand mountain with minor injuries

Wellington: A climber miraculously survived a nearly 2,000-foot fall from Mount Taranaki on New Zealand's North Island, escaping with only minor injuries.

The climber, whose identity remains undisclosed, was part of a group attempting to ascend the mountain when they lost their footing, resulting in a perilous tumble down a steep slope, amidst rocks and ice.

The incident took place near the summit's creator entrance, drawing the attention of New Zealand Police, who were alerted to the climber's fall around noon on Saturday, September 9. After witnessing their fellow climber's descent down the mountainside and out of sight, another member of the group descended to locate them.

In a fortunate twist, a member of the Taranaki Alpine Rescue team was in the vicinity at the time of the accident and promptly responded to assist in locating the fallen climber.

The rescuer, who happened to be engaged in climbing activities nearby, managed to find the climber with minor injuries. During the fall, the climber had lost their ice axe and crampons. Subsequently, the rescue team member assisted the injured climber in descending the mountain safely, reuniting them with the rest of their group.

The police expressed their amazement at the climber's survival, attributing it in part to recent spring weather conditions. The softened ice, coupled with the snow, helped cushion the climber's fall. Authorities underscored the inherent challenges of such terrains, emphasising that when things go awry in these settings, the consequences are frequently severe.

The incident occurred at the same location where two climbers tragically lost their lives two years ago.