Three trampers guided to safety off Mt Ruapehu

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) has coordinated the rescue of three people from Dome Hut on Mt Ruapehu.

The two brothers, and one woman, had climbed the mountain on Friday, but when bad weather closed in were forced to spend the night in a snow cave.

They reached Dome Hut on Saturday, but activated their beacon on Sunday afternoon when continuing bad weather prevented them descending.

Cellphone contact established the party was safe and well but with bad weather continuing, they were advised to spend another night in the hut.

A planned helicopter rescue today was also halted by bad weather, but members of the Whakapapa ski patrol reached the group, understood to be in their late 30s and early 40s, around 8pm, guiding them down the mountain.

One man is from Brisbane, with his brother and partner from Wellington.

Search and Rescue Mission coordinator Kevin Banaghan said the party were in good spirits, but hungry.

“They were very pleased not to be spending another night on the mountain,” he said.

“It shows the benefit of carrying an emergency beacon, but it’s also a reminder to keep an eye on weather forecasts when planning trips like this.”