A climber miraculously lived to tell the tale after plunging an astonishing 600 meters (1,970 feet) down the treacherous slopes of Mount Taranaki, one of New Zealand’s most perilous peaks. The climber’s remarkable escape left authorities astonished and relieved as he landed on snow, escaping with only minor injuries.
The dramatic incident unfolded as the climber was part of a group ascending the snow-covered summit of Mount Taranaki, located on New Zealand’s North Island. On a fateful Saturday afternoon, he lost his footing and slipped, sending him hurtling down the mountainside.
Senior Constable Vaughan Smith, who responded to the incident, described the climber’s survival as “exceptionally lucky” and attributed it to the recent spring weather conditions that had softened the ice, allowing the snow to cushion his fall.
Smith stated, “These are challenging areas, and when things go wrong, there are often serious consequences.” He emphasized the inherent risks associated with such high-altitude climbs.
Remarkably, this was not the first incident of its kind on Mount Taranaki. The climber slipped in the same precarious section where two other mountaineers tragically lost their lives in 2021. Additionally, a French climber met a similar fate after plummeting from the same peak in 2016.
Climbing Mount Taranaki demands special skills and thorough preparation due to the inherent risks, including the potential for avalanches and the bone-chilling sub-zero temperatures, as highlighted by New Zealand’s conservation department.
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council has consistently characterized Mount Taranaki as a challenging ascent throughout the year, cautioning climbers about its reputation as one of the country’s “deadliest mountains.” This latest incident serves as a harrowing reminder of the unforgiving nature of this majestic yet perilous peak, where survival often hinges on a fine line between life and death.