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Two Chilean climbers who spent the past four nights in a snowcave, 2500 metres up Mount Aspiring, have been found alive and well.
Their recovery on Thursday morning delighted searchers and even prompted a phone call to search headquarters from the Chilean ambassador to New Zealand.
Stu Thorn, who organised the search, says the climbers were forced to dig a snowcave after becoming stranded in whiteout conditions on Sunday.
They were found early Thursday when searchers in a helicopter hovering over a ledge on the mountain saw a hand waving from under the snow.
The men have been checked by a doctor and are in such good condition that they have driven themselves back to Wanaka.
The two men were due to return from their climb on Tuesday and although they are experienced climbers, concern for their safety had been growing.
A helicopter search was mounted on Wednesday morning but couldn't get to higher altitudes on the mountain due to poor weather conditions.
About 15 people had been involved in the search and rescue effort.
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