The Australian climber who has been stuck on Mt Aspiring since Tuesday was found standing and waving as rescue helicopters arrived.
Rescue Coordination Centre NZ Search and Rescue mission coordinator Mike Roberts said “it’s extraordinary”.
The 29-year-old man was found waving down the rescue team when the Southern Lakes and Mt Aspiring helicopters arrived at 5pm today, Mr Roberts said.
The man was found alive, with some "slight frostbite", just north of the plateau at Quarterdeck Pass, he said.
A Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue team and paramedic are staying with the climber who was found to be "in good spirits", he said.
"The group will be evacuated tomorrow dependent on the weather. His next of kin have been notified."
RCCNZ said that the rescue should serve as a warning for trampers and climbers in winter that they need to be properly prepared and carry a beacon.
The man set off his beacon at the edge of the Bonar Glacier at 12.15pm on Tuesday.
Rescuers were encouraged by movement of the emergency beacon a short distance to the northeast about 2.30pm yesterday.
The climber's beacon had not moved since yesterday and remains at Quarterdeck Pass. However, searchers were very concerned for the man in his late 20s because he was lightly equipped.
A Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) spokesman said this morning a helicopter tried to fly to the man's location at 9am, but had to turn back.
