Two climbers were rescued from the Remarkables Range yesterday (Wednesday July 27) following an avalanche.

Shortly before midday on Tuesday (July 26) police were notified of two people requesting rescue on Double Cone in the Remarkables Range.

The two climbers had earlier been caught in an avalanche but fortunately avoided burial and extricated themselves uninjured, police said in a statement.  

They moved a short distance to a relatively safe area nearby, however because of the avalanche danger they were unable to safely move from there.

Weather conditions were poor, with high winds and blowing snow affecting visibility.

Two attempts to insert an Alpine Rescue Team by helicopter were made but conditions prevented this, police said.

The climbers were advised to dig a snow cave and shelter overnight, ahead of a further rescue attempt on Wednesday.

The two climbers were experienced in the mountains and well-equipped for a night in a snow cave.

On Wednesday morning (July 27) the helicopter with Alpine Rescue Team aboard tried again to reach the pair, but weather conditions made this impossible.

The helicopter was able to land the Alpine Rescue Team 1.2km away and 300m below the climbers’ position.

The Alpine Rescue Team made their way through difficult conditions to the climbers’ location and made contact with them shortly after 10.45am.

Shortly after this the weather conditions had cleared sufficiently for a helicopter to reach the party and extract all back to Queenstown.

The climbers were shaken by the event and felt that there was no way they could have made it off the mountain unassisted, due to the dangerous avalanche conditions.

Earlier this month the NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) advised backcountry users to pay close attention to both the weather and New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) forecasts.

PHOTO: Queenstown Mountain Guides