Climbers in stable condition

Two climbers who survived an avalanche on Mount Taranaki are in a stable condition in Taranaki Base Hospital.

The 37 and 40 year-olds were carried 700m down the mountain after triggering an avalanche near the summit, earlier today.

Paramedics and a rescue team flown to the scene found both men with mild hypothermia and fractures, and they were taken off the mountain by helicopter.

A Hospital spokesperson says the men were well organised, and put their survival down to being prepared for the worst.

They are both very grateful to all the search and rescue crew, including the pilot and ambulance staff.

St John Ambulance spokesperson Ian May says the climbers were only three meters apart when the avalanche stopped.

"One of the climbers saw the other climber's hand sticking out of the surface of the avalanche and so he promptly dug his companion out, at that point his companion was close to suffocating when released from the snow."

The pair called for help and were winched from the mountain by the Taupo Youth Town rescue Helicopter.

"So overall, a huge slide down the mountain and a miraculous outcome and a good outcome for both people."

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