Tramper's body found at Cascade Saddle

The body of a 38-year-old German man was recovered today from the Cascade Saddle area in the Mt Aspiring National Park.

Acting SAR co-ordinator Senior Constable Mike Johnston, of the Wanaka Police, said a friend of the German tramper contacted the police on Sunday and reported that the German was overdue from a solo tramp in the National Park.

The tramper's body was found after an aerial search of a section of the Cascade Saddle track approaching the area known as the 'pylon'.

He had fallen on a snow patch very near the top of the climb. He has been unable to stop his fall and slid down the snow and over the edge of a ridge into a near vertical gully, stopping approximately 200 metres below.

"This steep and challenging 'poled' route over the Cascade Saddle is an alpine environment which requires a high level of risk and in turn a high level of skill," Snr Const Johnston said.

"This route should not be attempted unless key factors have been evaluated, such as, fitness, alpine experience, weather, and equipment. Falling in this slippery and steep terrain is unforgiving".

The tramper will be named once family members in Germany have been contacted.


 

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