British walker found alive after five days missing in New Zealand wilderness on solo trip to climb 1,600m mountain

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 07:02 EST, 15 February 2011

Found: James Esbester, 30, from Waterlooville Hampshire, had set off alone on a walking trip in New Zealand

Found: James Esbester, 30, from Waterlooville Hampshire, had set off alone on a walking trip in New Zealand

A British walker has been found after he went missing for five days on a solo trip to climb a mountain in New Zealand.

A huge search was launched for James Esbester after his equipment was found in a mountain hut along with a note explaining his intention to climb to a 1,630m summit .

The 30-year-old from Waterlooville in Hampshire was found suffering mild hypothermia in a riverbed off his intended route.

A helicopter spotted him walking up the valley which was 8 kilometres on the opposite side of the mountain than his intended return route.

Mr Esbester had set out on a expedition into the wilderness of New Zealand's Kahurangi National Park, beginning a trek along the Wangapeka trail in the park on the country's south island on Wednesday.

On reaching a mountain hut, he left a note of his intention to climb to the summit of Mount Luna on Thursday and  then went missing.

A walking party found Mr Esbester's equipment, including a sleeping bag, and the note on Saturday and alerted police.

James Esbester set off of on a half-day hike up Mount Luna, above, in New Zealand's Kahurangi National Park, and got hopelessly lost

James set off of on a half-day hike up Mount Luna, above, in New Zealand's Kahurangi National Park, and got hopelessly lost

Sergeant Mike Fitzsimons, of Nelson Police, said a rescue helicopter with night vision equipment was immediately sent into the area.

He said 50 search and rescue personnel were currently involved in the operation.

This includes four dog teams and specialist cavers who are abseiling down cliffs.

Wilderness: Kahurangi National Park is on New Zealand's south island

Wilderness: Kahurangi National Park is on New Zealand's south island

Mr Fitzsimons said searchers had found indications that Mr Esbester might have climbed to the summit of Mt Luna and then deviated from his planned descent by walking along a ridge to a neighbouring peak.

He said: 'We're currently re-visiting parts of Mt Luna and also exploring the bush on the south edges.

'We're also looking into the north-west and south-west edges of Biggs Topps. That's rather gnarly country.'

Mr Esbester was found by a rescue helicopter that had been flying to other huts in the area to eliminate them from the search.

Mr Fitzsimons said Mr Esbester's father, who is from Portsmouth, was flying out to join the search.

He added: 'A helicopter with night vision equipment was deployed on Saturday night but was unable to operate on Sunday or Monday nights due to cloud cover.

'The helicopter will be used tonight if the weather is clear. The current forecast is indicating light rain for tonight.'