Temple Buttress Rescue – 21 February 2026

3:14pm, Saturday 21st February, our team received a call from RCC to respond to a emergency on Mt Temple, Arthur’s Pass National Park.

A party of four climbers, two climbing parties, were climbing Temple Buttress. Mid-way up the route, the climber took a lead fall approximately 15 metres above the belayer, pulling out one piece of protection, with the second piece holding firm despite the climber falling below the belayer. The belayer held the fall, but the climber was seriously injured. The other climbers in the party activated their PLB, then also phoned Police on 111.

A GCH Aviation helicopter travelled from Christchurch to the site, conducted a flyover and confirmed that a specialised alpine cliff rescue team would be required.

The injured climber was able to take calls with RCC and Police, was able to update them on his condition, the area for rescue and weather. This intel proved invaluable for planning the rescue.

Weather was adding insult to injury: winds were strengthening NW and cloud increasing, with evening twilight approaching.

Two ACR members were deployed to GCH immediately, with a further two ACR members heading to GCH on standby in case further assistance was required.

Our team packed for various scenarios. Given the forecast, our team packed for the possiblity of spending a night out on the mountain with the party of four.

The team flew to Arthur’s Pass staging area. After briefing with crew, the team transfered to winch-capable Westpac Rescue helicopter (ZK-IGI) and then flew to the scene.

At 6.15pm both ACR team members were winched down to the two climbers, where one is injured.

They were anchored to rock face and in a relatively secure location, on a ledge and accessible to the heli winch. The heli came in very close to rock face: this is a challenging situation with strengthening winds.

While the heli returned to the staging area, the ACR team secured themselves, then lower the injured climber to a ledge approx. 15 metres below where they were found. The team and climber are secured there, and radio the heli crew to return for extraction.

The heli returned and extracted the three (on two winch extractions) shortly after 7pm, returning to Arthur’s Pass village, and then the patient is transferred to Christchurch Hospital.

The patient considers himself extremely lucky with the outcome, discharging several days later from hospital with a compression fracture of thed T12 vertebra and some minor cuts and bruises. He is fortunately in not too much pain and has fairly good mobility.

Have a look at the picture of the damaged helmet. It is quite clear that this helmet saved this person’s life.

Always wear a helmet in alpine terrain and be extra cautious when climbing on loose rock – we all know how temperamental our rock can be at times. Fortunately, the consequences were not worse in this incident. Stay safe out there!

A Garden City Helicopters (GCH) helicopter travels from Christchurch to the site, does a flyover and clarifies that a specialised cliff rescue team is required. The injured climber is able to take calls with RCC and police, is able to update them on his condition, the area for rescue and weather. This intel proves invaluable for planning the rescue.

There is initial confusion about the exact location of the patient, with some PLB coordinates placing the patient on Phipps Peak. Fortunately the patient has mobile reception and can clarify their precise position with police which is passed on to GCH and our team.

Winds are strengthening NW and cloud increasing, with evening twilight approaching.

Simon & Jason first to respond, deployed to GCH immediately, arrive at GCH at 4pm; Alastair & Zach as second team if required, deployed to GCH.

Our team packs for various scenarios, unsure of specifics at first but get clarification after the GCH heli does flyover. Given the forecast, we pack for the possiblity of spending a night out on the mountain with the party of 4. They fly up in second heli, meets first heli at Arthur’s Pass staging area.

After briefing with crew, team transfers to winch-capable Westpac Rescue heli (ZK-IGI) and goes to scene.

At 6.15pm both team members are winched down to the two climbers, where one is injured. They are anchored to rock face and in a relatively secure location, on a ledge and accessible to the heli winch.  Heli comes in very close to rock face, and this is a challenge with strengthening winds.

While the heli returns to the staging area, the team secure themselves, then lower the injured climber to a ledge approx. 15 metres below where they were found. The team and climber are secured there, and radio the heli crew to return for extraction.

The heli returns and extracts the three (on two winch extractions) shortly after 7pm, returning to Arthur’s Pass village, and then the patient is transferred to Christchurch Hospital. The team leaves Arthur’s Pass at 7.30pm.

The patient considers himself extremely lucky with the outcome, discharging several days later from hospital with a compression fracture of thed T12 vertebra and some minor cuts and bruises. He is fortunately in not too much pain and has fairly good mobility.

Have a look at the picture of the damaged helmet. It is quite clear that this helmet saved this person’s life.

Always wear a helmet in alpine terrain and be extra cautious when climbing on loose rock – we all know how temperamental our rock can be at times. Fortunately, the consequences were not worse in this incident.