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Two U.S. students survive 9 days in New Zealand snowstorm

Posted at 7:37 PM, Jun 11, 2012
and last updated 2012-06-11 19:37:38-04

(WTVR)--Two Wisconsin college students are now safe after being trapped for nine days in a snowstorm in the New Zealand wilderness.

 Alec Brown and Erin Klintworth went on the trip to relax ahead of finals.

But they didn't check the forecast before they left and got stranded.

They survived on a biscuit and jelly, stayed warm in hot springs and slept in a covered hammock designed to withstand 17 degree temperatures.

“Clearly we were pretty comfortable where we were and survived it no problem, we had all the right gear to get through it, we had clean fresh water and stayed warm and dry,” said Klintworth.

The couple was eventually able to follow a river out of the woods.