The hiker survived strong winds, heavy snow and temperatures that fell to as low as 3 degrees when wind chill is factored in.
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — An Australian soldier who dug a snow cave to survive below-freezing conditions for a week on a New Zealand mountain was rescued Friday.
Rescue authorities said they plucked 29-year-old Terry Harch from Mount Aspiring on the South Island in what they described as a "snatch and grab" mission involving three helicopters.
The helicopters also transported out four rescuers who had reached Harch a day earlier and two more rescuers who had been on their way to him.
Harch parked his car last Friday to climb the mountain and was expected back on Monday, authorities said. They said a friend reported him missing that day and Harch also triggered an emergency beacon.
Authorities said the soldier dug a snow cave to survive before rescuers reached him on Thursday. He was suffering from minor frostbite.
New Zealand Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Mike Roberts said in a statement that it was amazing that Harch was able to stand up and wave when the helicopter arrived.
Authorities said the man had survived strong winds, heavy snow and temperatures that had fallen to 3 degrees when the wind chill was factored in.