Grave fears for safety of an Australian climber, 29, left stranded on a New Zealand mountain overnight in -9C temperatures after trek went wrong

  • Grave fears for the safety of an Australian climber, 29, stranded on a mountain
  • The 29-year-old Australian deployed a distress beacon about 12.15pm Tuesday
  • Rescue crews were deployed on Mount Aspiring on New Zealand’s South Island 
  • The climber is enduring -9C temperatures and strong gusts reaching 70km/h 

By Kate Darvall For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:13 BST, 1 August 2018 | Updated: 03:14 BST, 1 August 2018

There are fears for the safety of an Australian climber, 29, who was stranded on a mountain overnight in -9C temperatures after a trekking expedition went wrong. 

Rescue crews were deployed on Mount Aspiring on New Zealand’s South Island after the 29-year-old activated a distress beacon about 12.15pm on Tuesday. 

Poor weather conditions hampered search conditions overnight with temperatures falling to -9C and gusts reaching 70km/h. 

There are fears for the safety of an Australian climber, 29, who was stranded on Mount Aspiring (pictured) overnight in -9C temperatures after a trekking expedition went wrong

There are fears for the safety of an Australian climber, 29, who was stranded on Mount Aspiring (pictured) overnight in -9C temperatures after a trekking expedition went wrong

A Maritime New Zealand Coordination Centre spokesman said the climber’s family held grave concerns for his safety, especially after discovering he left behind potentially life-saving equipment. 

‘He left his equipment at the French Ridge Hutt which means he has no sleeping bag, wet weather gear or a cooker,’ the spokesman said in a statement.  

Rescue crews continue to search for the Australian, who left for the trek on Friday. 

A helicopter is on stand by ready to take to the skies when the weather clears, and paramedics are stationed at French Ridge and Mount Aspiring in case he finds his way back. 

Maritime New Zealand released a statement on Wednesday saying the climber's family held grave concerns 

Maritime New Zealand released a statement on Wednesday saying the climber's family held grave concerns 

Maritime New Zealand released a statement on Wednesday saying the climber’s family held grave concerns 

A helicopter is on stand by ready to take to the skies when the weather clears, and paramedics are stationed at French Ridge and Mount Aspiring (circled) in case he finds his way back

A helicopter is on stand by ready to take to the skies when the weather clears, and paramedics are stationed at French Ridge and Mount Aspiring (circled) in case he finds his way back

A helicopter is on stand by ready to take to the skies when the weather clears, and paramedics are stationed at French Ridge and Mount Aspiring (circled) in case he finds his way back

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