"Survival is Remarkable": Two Climbers Rescued Following Three-Day Fiordand Ordeal

Two climbers were saved from Fiordand's Sabre Peak via a 100-foot longline rescue after surviving three nights in saturated gear without food.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 4:48 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

A High-Stakes extraction near Sabre Peak

The rescue mission began on Wednesday evening after a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) was activated in the rugged Darran Mountains. Southland Search and Rescue faced immense challenges, with two initial extraction attempts thwarted by deteriorating weather and low visibility. The breakthrough came at approximately 7:00 am on Friday when pilot crews identified a safe window to perform a 100-foot longline extraction—hoisting the climbers directly from the steep rock face.

Survival Against the Elements

The climbers had been sheltering in a two-person bivouac and sleeping bags, both of which became completely saturated during the prolonged storm. Rescue co-ordinator Dougall Henderson noted that the pair had run out of food and were in a critical state. "They believed they would not have survived another night on the mountain," Henderson said. Upon extraction, the pair were assessed by a doctor on board the helicopter before being transported to Te Anau for further medical examination.

Decisions That Saved Lives

Despite the harrowing conditions, Sergeant Henderson praised the climbers for their preparation and decision-making. Key factors that contributed to their survival included: