New Zealand climbers rescued from Solomon Islands' highest mountain

Two New Zealand climbers, Keanu Isaksson, 25, and Luca Zylstra, 19, have been rescued after being stranded on the highest mountain in the Solomon Islands for six days. The rescue helicopter finally reached the pair on Tuesday morning, airlifting them out of a steep ravine where they had been trapped. The weather provided a clear window, enabling the rescue team to locate the climbers at an elevation of 1,828 meters on Mount Popomanaseu, situated in central Guadalcanal.

The rescue operation involved the helicopter dropping food and a radio to the stranded climbers, who were able to clear space for a cargo net to be lowered. Their own equipment, including knives, allowed them to fell trees and create sufficient room for the helicopter to land. Ms. Holl, Keanu's mother, described the men as both nonchalant and emotional, emphasizing their close bond as friends who had undertaken numerous adventures together.

The duo had embarked on the remote climbing expedition in the Solomon Islands to prepare for a future trip to the Amazon. Mount Popomanaseu, standing at 2,335 meters, is taller than Australia's tallest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches 2,228 meters. Ms. Holl explained that the friends had summited with local guides, but those guides were unable to descend with them due to the descent path crossing a different tribal area.

Torrential rain during their descent turned the steep terrain "impossible" to navigate, forcing the climbers to camp on a rock overlooking a waterfall for six days. Ms. Holl expressed relief that the river levels did not rise higher, as it could have washed the climbers away over the waterfall. Initial search attempts were unsuccessful, with one party turning back due to heavy rain.

The helicopter, lacking a winch, was also unable to land where the climbers were stranded. Ms. Holl acknowledged the emotional toll the past week had taken on her family but expressed immense joy at the safe return of the climbers.