Alpine Rescue Canterbury

11/05/2026

One of our biggest local supporters Further Faster are running a Super Sale!

Get along and get yourself well prepared for the winter. Make sure you have all the warm gear you need, that your tech gear is still in service and that you've got the supplies you need in an emergency if things go a bit south... then you might not need to call us!

Send a message to learn more

27/03/2026

We are looking for a few new team members. If you are an experienced mountaineer with current rock climbing and alpine climbing skills, get in touch with us.

You don't need to be a top level alpinist by any means, we're looking for all round climbers with a range of experience. Your ability to contribute to a positive team environment is just as important as your technical skills.

This is an entirely voluntary team, you will need to be available for regular training and callouts. You will need to be Christchurch based.

Email [email protected] for an application form. Applications close 21st April.

22/03/2026

Our team spent the weekend at the Canterbury SAREX in the Tekapo area. We worked alongside other Land Search & Rescue New Zealand teams, the NZ Police, DOC Aoraki Mountain Rescue and other rescue agencies to demonstrate our capabilities and work together in an inter-agency exercise.

18/03/2026

WHITEHORN PASS RESCUE
At 2:53pm on Sunday 15 March, Alpine Rescue Canterbury was tasked by RCC to respond to an emergency beacon activation on the popular Three Passes Route in Arthur’s Pass.

A solo hiker had lost their footing and fallen down the steep bluffs below Mt Isobel. A two-person hasty team was offloaded near the patient, who was unable to move due to traumatic injuries sustained during their fall.

Read the full story here: https://alpinerescuecanterbury.com/2026/03/18/whitehorn-pass-rescue-15-march-2026/

As always, if you would like to support our team, please consider donating. All funds raised go towards team training and equipment.
https://alpinerescuecanterbury.com/donate/

07/03/2026

TEMPLE BUTTRESS RESCUE

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!

https://alpinerescuecanterbury.com/2026/02/26/temple-buttress-rescue-21-february-2026/

04/03/2026

Our team of volunteers, out there getting it done on a Sunday night.

Land Search & Rescue New Zealand Land Search & Rescue Christchurch

Our incredible search and rescue partners pulled off another challenging alpine rescue in Arthur’s Pass ⛰️

Last month, an emergency call came in from a tourist stranded on a scree slope, unable to move and quickly losing warmth. Pinpointing the exact location was tricky (thanks to the overseas number), but the team worked fast to narrow down the search.

Alpine Rescue Canterbury mobilised immediately, but two helicopters were forced to turn back due to weather.

With darkness closing in, the team switched to a ground response, driving two hours to the nearest access point. Just after 2am, the team began the walk in and about an hour later, they found the tourist - hypothermic, confused, but alive.

It’s times like these when hiring or purchasing a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) can make all the difference. More information can be found here - www.mountainsafety.org.nz/learn/skills/communications

Always plan ahead and carry the necessary gear if going off a well-marked track - don’t make Search and Rescue your back-up plan.

20/02/2026

Read about our deployment in Kahurangi NP in December from the perspective of the rescued party.

Land Search & Rescue Christchurch Land Search & Rescue New Zealand

Arthur Range, Kahurangi National Park Our friend Peter shared his photos from his last sections of the Arthur Range in Kahurangi. Over a number of trips he had tramped the whole ridgeline from Mt Campbell in the north, over Crusader, Mt Arthur, the Twins, Baton Saddle, S***m, Gormorrah and Mt Patria...

09/02/2026

We are one amongst a number of specialist ACR teams across NZ. Here's a bit of a rundown of what we are capable of...

24/12/2025

🎄 Meri Kirihimete from Land Search and Rescue! 🎄

As we gather with loved ones this festive season, we reflect on a year of extraordinary mahi by our Land Search and Rescue volunteers across Aotearoa.

🔶 526 Search and Rescue Operations
🔶 598 individuals assisted — each one someone’s friend, parent, child, or partner
🔶 186,827 unpaid volunteer hours contributed to bringing people home safely

We extend our deepest gratitude to our more than 3,000 trained volunteers, and to the whānau, families, and employers who support them. Your backing makes this life-saving mahi possible, even when it means stepping in at a moment’s notice or holding the fort at home.

From all of us at Land Search and Rescue — thank you, stay safe this summer, and have a joyful Christmas and New Year. 🎅🎒🌲

21/12/2025

ARTHUR RANGE RESCUE
At 10:11am on Friday morning, Alpine Rescue Canterbury was contacted by RCC to respond to a emergency beacon activation on tops of the Arthur Range, Kahurangi National Park.

A tramper had fallen down steep terrain from the ridge line. They had sustained multiple fractures and internal lacerations. Due to the remote location, traumatic injuries, and deteriorating weather, the team prepared for the possibility of a technical stretcher carry. A total of six ARC operators and one GCH medic were deployed to Cowin Spur, approximately 2km from the patient.

They coordinated with a team of three from Motueka LandSAR that were on site and assisting the injured party. The combined team worked collectively to stabilise and package the patient before moving them to a ledge that was carved into a nearby scree slope.

The Motueka team escorted the un-injured party out whilst ARC setup a bivy site and hunkered down overnight. A low cloud base and stormy weather thwarted winch attempts. At 6:14am on Saturday, pilots found an opening in the clouds through the Crow River and successfully winched the patient out and bought straight to Nelson hospital.

Whilst December is a time typically associated with summer warmth, cold weather systems still pose very real hypothermia risks. Overnight, temperatures dropped down to 2°C. Persistent wind chill, rain, and eventually snowfall made temperature management a priority.

This job had a great outcome, but is a serious reminder of how poor weather can impact rescue efforts. Thankfully, this party was well-prepared. This is a good opportunity to review your safety and cold weather equipment. Emergency shelters such as bothie bags are essential in exposed terrain. Gas cookers were also used to constantly reheat hot water bottles, and warm food.

A huge thank you to RCC, Motueka Search and Rescue, GCH Aviation, Christchurch Helicopters Ltd, Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust and Motueka Police for making this outcome possible.

If you would like to support our team to perform more rescues like this one, please consider donating: https://alpinerescuecanterbury.com/donate/. All funds raised go towards team training and equipment.

29/11/2025

This week, our team was deployed to Godley Head in response to a 111 call. A walker had become stuck on a steep seaside bluff near the Jane Fonda climbing crag.

Two members from ARC searched the nearby cliffs, and managed to locate the person. They were definitely stuck, but otherwise in good spirits. Our team climbed up to them and setup a roped lowering system. They were safely bought down to flatter terrain, and then back out to the road.

This is just one of an increasing number of callouts here in Ōtautahi Christchurch that our team have responded to this year. It was a good outcome, and another job where our light-and-fast hasty team were able to provide a rapid response on technical terrain.

Land Search & Rescue New Zealand