A body has been located during the search for missing tramper Connor Purvis on the southern side of Mount Huxley, police said.

Otago Coastal Search and Rescue Coordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat said teams found the body high on the southern side of the mountain at about 9am this morning.

While formal identification has yet to take place, it is believed to be the missing 20 year old who intended to climb Mount Huxley late last month.

Sheat said the search took place in a remote, rugged and high risk environment and involved significant effort from specialist teams and local volunteers.

Police said they were grateful to all those who assisted in the search, including members of the public who provided information to help define the search area.

“It’s been a long, tough week for all involved. This has been a true team effort and the good people of Omarama and Mackenzie have been providing incredible support to the search teams,” Sheat said.

Agencies involved included Oamarama Land Search and Rescue, Oamaru Land Search and Rescue, Wanaka Land Search and Rescue, Dunedin Land Search and Rescue, Mackenzie Land Search and Rescue, Otago Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, Oamaru Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, the Mt Cook Department of Conservation Alpine Cliff Rescue Team, Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue, the Wanaka Swiftwater Canyon Search and Rescue Team, Heliventures in Oamaru, and the Helicopter Line in Mt Cook.

Police said they were grateful to Purvis’s friends and family for their input and assistance during the search. “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to them during this difficult time,” Sheat said.