Bad weather is hampering a search for two climbers stranded in a snow cave on Mt Egmont/Taranaki. A search and rescue effort was launched about 10pm on Saturday 26th October 2013 after two men and two women aged between 29 and 65 did not return from a summit attempt. Taranaki Police Inspector Blair Telford has said that a 65-year-old man and 38-year-old woman managed to reach the North Egmont Visitor Centre at 11am on Sunday 27th October 2013 where they were treated for mild hypothermia and cuts and bruises. A man and a woman, aged 31 and 29, are holed up in a snow cave. “They are very experienced and well equipped,” he said. “We’ve been using a number of resources, including the air force, but helicopter use is limited at the moment.” Rescue teams on the ground are looking for the pair based on a last known location. They are part of a group visiting the region and one person is from overseas. Mr Telford says conditions on the mountain are “filthy”. “We are hoping there is a window Sunday evening,” he said.
