Trail of blood led searchers to missing climber's body

A trail of blood eventually led search and rescue workers to Vladimir Levchenko's body.

The 69-year-old had become separated from his group while climbing Taranaki Maunga in September 2025.

The plan was to go from Kapuni Lodge to Syme Hut, and then on to the summit.

Although Levchenko was a confident hiker, he had no mountain-climbing experience in ice and snow, and had minimal training in the use of an ice axe and crampons - shoe grips used to prevent slipping in icy conditions.

Climbers were split into two groups making there way to the peak. Levchenko was part of the first group.

As they began their descent from the mountain, Levchenko's friend Timofey Gorr lost sight of him.

After he could not be found, Gorr reconnected with the second group and called emergency services.

Search and Rescue teams looked for Levchenko near the summit of Taranaki Maunga, but it was a trail of blood leading to a gully near Skeet Ridge that eventually led rescuers to where he was lying dead - roughly 600 metres below where he was last seen.

It appeared he had fallen on an icy slope.

The fall had caused multiple blunt force trauma injuries, which coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave accepted as the cause of his death.

He also had red patches on his head constant with early-stage frostbite.

In her coronial report, Schmidt-McCleave found Levchenko's death was entirely preventable.

"The critical factors which could have prevented this death are the underestimation of the conditions and suitability of this trip for Mr Levchenko, and both men succumbing to complacency on the descent," she said.

"Taranaki Maunga is an infamously treacherous mountain. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council [MSC] advises that while the summit can be reached via multiple unmarked and unofficial climbing routes, these all require a high dress of mountain skills and experience, especially outside of the warmer summer months, because of the presence of snow and ice.

The mountain was not to be treated with complacency, Schmidt-McCleave said.

"Mr Levchenko was not prepared for the level of skill demanded by the climb of Taranaki Maunga that he was attempting," she said.

"He had minimal instruction in the use of ice axe and crampons, and the technique of self-arrest.

"He was wearing crampons not designed for the flexible style of boot he was using.

"He and Mr Gorr did not take a rope with them to the summit, and they were descending without the use of rope and anchors to help arrest a fall. Mr Levchenko was not down climbing by the safer technique of facing into the slope."

She said it was known amongst climbers that the descent can be more difficult and more dangerous than the ascent.

Gorr had told Levchenko during their descent if he was feeling unsafe facing forwards, he should turn around and face into the slope and down climb.

"Mr Gorr was constantly looking up the slope to check on Mr Levchenko and would have been about twenty metres ahead of him," the Coroner said.

The pair were not roped or setting anchors on their way down, she said.

Gorr said he did not see Levchenko fall.

Coroner Schmidt-McCleave recommended novice and beginner climbers take a course in alpine and mountaineering skills, including the proper use of an ice axe and crampons, and the techniques of self-arrest and using rope to set anchors, before attempting a climb likeTaranaki Maunga in snow and icy conditions.

She said climbers should be aware of the consequences of a slip or stumble when climbing the maunga, and ensure they were able to maintain proper footwork even when fatigued or in poor conditions.

"All climbers should ensure the equipment they use, including boots and crampons, are fit for the purpose they are needed," she said.

The coroner said novices should only consider the Taranki Maunga summit track in summer, and recommended all climbers watch the mountain's summit route safety video before any climb.

Schmidt-McCleave was critical of Gorr, who had considered the maunga a "simple climb".

Gorr was was an experienced climber, and a qualified Russian Alpine Master.

He had let Levchenko borrow equipment, and taught him how to slow his speed in a self arrest if he slipped.

"Mr Gorr was complacent in his thinking that Taranaki Maunga was a simple climb for him but would be difficult for a novice climber," she said.

Speaking to RNZ, Gorr said he encouraged Levchenko to turn back as they were climbing.

He had suggested they go back, but Levchenko wanted to press on.

"Strong people always want to seem more strong [than] they are," he said.

"Hard to tell, 'no, I'm turning back'."

Gorr said it was easier for him to climb higher mountains due to his experience.

"But probably for him it was quite a big challenge," he said.

Gorr and Levchenko were from the same city in Russia, and became friends when Levchenko moved to New Zealand.

He was an amazing person and a good father to his kids, Gorr said.

"He's one of the closest friends I've got in New Zealand," he said.

Levchenko was a calm, patient man, Gorr said.

"He was a really, really good man."

Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley welcomed the findings.

"The findings highlight the critical importance of having the appropriate skills, experience and equipment when heading into an alpine environment," he said.

"This is relevant not only for Taranaki Maunga, but for any alpine climb in snow and ice."

He said the findings also highlighted the unique environment of the mountain.

"Many parts of the maunga, especially near the summit, are effectively "no fall" zones. That means, even if you have the skills to self-arrest with an ice axe, the hard, impenetrable ice makes it almost impossible to stop a slide."