Climbing
One person has died while climbing New Zealand’s Mount Ruapehu on June 29. At around 11 a.m., a group of people were climbing on the eastern side of Mount Ruapehu, near Whangaehu Hut. During the climb, a woman in the group slipped and fell a significant distance, suffering serious injuries, police have said tonight.
Emergency services, the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, members of the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation, and Tukino Ski Field staff responded immediately “Sadly, despite their best efforts, the woman died at the scene,” local police shared in a press release. The other members of the group are being supported by police, Tukino Ski Field and local iwi Ngati Hikairo ke Tongariro.
“Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and climbing companions at this difficult time,” Taupo police said in their statement. “A rahui is in place for the easter slopes of Mount Ruapehu above 2000m, until 6am on Tuesday 2 July.”
Taupo Police Search and Rescue would like to thank all those who responded this morning, said Sergeant Shane McNally says. “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with those involved,” McNally said. “While the matter is still under investigation, we cannot reiterate enough the importance of understanding the alpine environment and being prepared mentally and physically for this unforgiving environment.”
Mount Ruapehu is located in the North Island of NZ with an elevation of 2797 metres (9,176 feet). Mount Ruapehu is home to three ski fields, Whakapapa is on the north aspect, Turoa is on the south aspect, and Tukino sits on the east side where the accident happened.
