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Source: ONE News -
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Searchers remain prepared to rescue two climbers on Aoraki/Mt Cook after an emergency beacon was set off on Friday afternoon.
The men, tourists aged in their 20s, sparked the alarm when one of them began showing signs of hypothermia.
Web cameras on the mountain were helping rescuers keep a close eye on the weather in the area and the men had set up a bivouac and were well equipped with sleeping bags and other survival gear.
Thick cloud prevented a search on Friday but a possible sighting was made by the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust helicopter around 10.15am Saturday.
The pair were climbing and appeared in good health.
"The helicopter sighted two men that matched the descriptions of the missing men...they were headed up the mountain in good health," says Sophie Hazelhurst from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre says the men gave the international sign for "all's well" - the thumbs up.
However, co-ordinator Chris Henshaw says the centre has not yet confirmed that the climbers are the missing men.
"We believe it is the two men, but until we can make contact with them, we can't be sure," Henshaw says.
"They have not made contact on their cell phone today, although that could be for any number of reasons.
"They could have lost range, or run out of batteries, or simply be preserving their batteries in case of further difficulty."
She says searchers are still on standby until they are completely sure the climbers are safe and well.
