Two climbers have been rescued from Mount Aspiring after one fell an estimated 200 metres down a cliff and into a crevasse.

Police were alerted at about 6.15pm after the second climber spent more than three hours navigating difficult alpine terrain to find enough satellite reception on a mobile phone to call for help.

Wānaka Police Sergeant Darren Cranfield said the climber faced an extremely challenging situation and was becoming increasingly at risk of hypothermia.

A search and rescue operation involving Otago Lakes Search and Rescue, Heli Otago and the Wakatipu LandSAR Alpine Cliff Rescue Team was immediately launched.

Cranfield said worsening weather meant the chances of a successful rescue were rapidly diminishing.

“This was a complex and dynamic operation where two lives were at risk,” he said.

“Given the remote alpine environment, success depended on strong communication, effective collaboration between teams, cross-district coordination and clear decision-making throughout the rescue effort.”

Both climbers were successfully rescued by Heli Otago at about 1am.

“We are incredibly pleased with this outcome and grateful that we brought both climbers to safety,” Cranfield said.

He thanked the search and rescue personnel, alpine specialists and helicopter crew involved, saying their professionalism and skill were critical to the successful outcome.

Cranfield said the incident was a reminder that mountain conditions could change rapidly and urged people entering alpine areas to carry appropriate communication equipment and emergency supplies.

“Being prepared for the worst can make all the difference when things go wrong.”