Mount Taranaki: Climber survives 600m fall with minor injuries

Mount Taranaki has a reputation as one of the deadliest mountains in New Zealand

A climber in New Zealand "miraculously" survived a fall of 600m (1,968ft) with only minor injuries after tumbling down the side of a mountain.

Police said the man fell from Mount Taranaki on the North Island and was saved by spring weather which softened the ice and meant he landed in snow.

The police said the climber is "exceptionally lucky to be alive".

The distance he fell equals the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Saudi Arabia, one of the world's tallest buildings.

It is also nearly twice the height of the Shard in London which stretches 309m into the sky.

The climber was part of a group scaling Mount Taranaki when he fell from the summit about midday local time (midnight GMT) on Saturday 9 September.

"Having watched their fellow climber slide down the mountain and out of view, another member of the group climbed down to try and locate them," said the police.

A member of the Taranaki Alpine Rescue also happened to be climbing that day and helped locate the fallen man.

The distance the climber fell was nearly twice the height of the Shard building in London

Mount Taranaki has a reputation as one of the deadliest mountains in New Zealand, according to the country's Mountain Safety Council.

In 2021, two mountaineers fell to their deaths from the same spot from which the climber plunged at the weekend.

Taranaki is a dormant volcano which sits in relative isolation on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island.

The Mountain Safety Council said: "Its isolation from other mountains, proximity to the coastline, and geographic position make for some of the most fast-changing and adverse weather conditions found anywhere in New Zealand.

"The weather, combined with the complex and rough terrain, creates a highly unique environment. One mistake can be disastrous."

While undoubtedly rare, other people have survived big falls relatively unscathed, though perhaps not as steep as the climber in New Zealand.

Adam Potter tumbled 300m down Sgurr Choinnich Mor in Scotland. During the drop in 2011, he fell over three cliffs. Although battered, Mr Potter was able to stand up once he stopped sliding.

Another mountaineer survived a 400m drop in Canada when they plunged down the side of Mount Lefroy. The mountain in the west of the country measures 3,423m at its peak.