Japanese climber rescued after week on mountain

Rescuers in New Zealand plucked a Japanese climber alive from the country’s highest mountain today, but his companion was found dead.

The pair were identified as Tokyo residents Hideaki Nara, 51, and mountain guide Kiyoshi Ikenouchi, 49. They had been trapped for a week by atrocious weather on an exposed ledge of the Empress Plateau, above 12,000ft (3,700m) on Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook.

Police Inspector Dave Gaskin said one man was winched off by helicopter today. He was suffering from frostbite after being trapped by gale-force winds, driving snow and near-zero visibility which thwarted rescuers trying to reach the men.

Mr Gaskin said a second person “didn’t make it” but declined to name the survivor until next of kin in Japan had been notified.