The Japanese climber rescued from Aoraki-Mount Cook in the Southern Alps says he does not know how he survived while his friend perished.
Hideaki Nara, 51, was speaking to media for the first time since his rescue on Friday.
He was picked up by helicopter after he and climbing guide Kiyoshi Ikenouchi, 49, were trapped by bad weather 3700m up the mountain for a week
Mr Nara said he used a pen and a pocket knife to dig a shelter after their tent collapsed on Thursday morning, but Mr Ikenouchi opted to stay in his sleeping bag.
He said the pair called out to encourage each other that night, but by Friday morning Mr Ikenouchi had died.
Mr Nara said he thought the wind was too still strong for the helicopter to land and thanked those involved in the difficult rescue.
He said the reality of Mr Ikenouchi's death has only sunk in after his funeral in Christchurch on Monday.
