Coroner’s Findings Stress Unique Risks on Taranaki Maunga

Media Release

NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) says the coroner’s findings into the tragic death of Vladimir Levchenko on Taranaki Maunga highlight the importance of being thoroughly prepared for icy alpine conditions.

In the findings released on 7 July 2026, Coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave found the 69-year-old from Whangaparaoa died from multiple injuries after falling while descending Taranaki Maunga on 30 September 2025.

MSC, which was consulted during the coronial process and invited to comment on the draft recommendations, welcomes the findings. 

"The findings highlight the critical importance of having the appropriate skills, experience and equipment when heading into an alpine environment. This is relevant not only for Taranaki Maunga, but for any alpine climb in snow and ice," says MSC Chief Executive Mike Daisley.

“However, the findings also emphasise that Taranaki Maunga is a unique environment. 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.”

Circumstances of the incident

The findings examine the circumstances leading up to Vladimir’s fatal fall and include recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future.

In her findings, Coroner Schmidt-McCleave notes that while Vladimir was a confident hiker, he had no mountaineering experience in snow and ice. For the trip, he had borrowed a climbing helmet, crampons and an ice axe from his friend. Before the climb, his friend had given him a lesson on using crampons and practising self-arrest with an ice axe on an easy slope. The crampons Vladimir was using were designed for rigid or semi-rigid boots, but he was wearing flexible boots. They did not have a rope with them.

The pair set off from Kapuni Lodge on Taranaki Maunga at about 6.45 am, stopping briefly at Syme Hut before continuing on to the summit.

MSC says the terrain at Syme Hut and beyond is an alpine environment with extreme hazards, and the slope to the summit, which ranges between 21 and 45 degrees, has no plateau to arrest a fall or slip.

“Snow and impenetrable ice can cover the area at Syme Hut and beyond at any time of the year, but it is particularly prevalent from late autumn till the end of spring,” says Daisley  “We strongly recommend that beginners should only consider attempting the summit between January and April via the Taranaki Maunga Summit Track, and only when there is no snow or ice.”

After reaching the summit, the pair began their descent. The terrain on the descent was composed of shallowly buried rime formations, which can create an uneven surface of hard nodules. These can make it challenging to gain reliable, secure footing and increase the probability of tripping, while making self-arrest more difficult or impossible.

During the descent, the pair became separated and lost sight of each other. It was during this time that Vladimir fell. He was later found by rescue teams about 600 metres from where he was last seen.

Coroner Schmidt-McCleave found that Vladimir’s death was “entirely preventable”. She said the critical factors which could have prevented his death were the underestimation of the conditions and suitability of the trip for Vladimir, and both men “succumbing to complacency” on the descent. The equipment and Vladimir’s lack of technical skills and experience were identified as secondary factors that contributed to the incident.

Recommendations

In her recommendations, Coroner Schmidt-McCleave endorsed MSC’s statement that climbing experience gained elsewhere, while useful, may not be sufficient to understand the unique challenges and conditions on Taranaki Maunga. She also made the following recommendations.

• Novice and beginner climbers should take a course in alpine and mountaineering skills, including in proper use of ice axe and crampons, and the techniques of self-arrest and setting anchors using rope, before attempting a climb like Taranaki Maunga in snow and ice conditions.
• If attempting a trip on Taranaki Maunga at higher elevations and when snow is present, climbers should be aware of the consequences of a slip or stumble, and ensure they are able to maintain consistent, proper footwork and intentional foot placement, even in poor conditions, or as fatigue sets in.
• All climbers should ensure the equipment they use, including boots and crampons, are fit for the purpose they are needed. Crampons designed for use on rigid or semi-rigid climbing boots should never be used on more flexible tramping-style boots.
• Novices should only consider the Taranaki Maunga Summit Track in summer months (between January and April) as a viable option for reaching the summit. As the MSC makes clear on its website, this is the only established track to the summit. All other climbing routes require significant previous mountaineering experience and total comfort in managing one’s own safety in a highly complex, challenging and dynamic mountain environment.

NZ Mountain Safety Council extends its sincere condolences to the whānau and friends of Vladimir Levchenko.

PHOTO CREDIT | Fernanda Jorge, Plan My Walk | Taranaki Maunga