Mount Cook: US and Canadian climbers missing on NZ's tallest peak believed dead
Three mountain climbers missing for five days on New Zealand’s tallest peak are believed to have died in a fall, authorities say.
The bodies of them men - two from the US and one from Canada - were not found on Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook.
But based on footprints seen in the snow during an aerial survey, and items believed to belong to them retrieved from the slopes this week, the search for them has ended, Police Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker told reporters on Friday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Americans - Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, - were certified alpine guides, according to the website of the non-profit American Mountain Guides Association.
New Zealand authorities have not named the Canadian climber at the request of his family.
The men flew to a hut part way up the mountain on Saturday to begin their ascent and were reported missing on Monday when they did not arrive to meet their prearranged transport after the climb.
Searchers hours later found several climbing-related items believed to belong to the men, but no sign of them, police said.
A search stalled for three days due to harsh weather conditions in the area.
On Friday, drone operators found footprints in the snow and more items that authorities believe belong the the men.
“After reviewing the number of days the climbers have been missing, no communication, the items we have retrieved, and our reconnaissance today, we do not believe the men have survived,” Walker said.
“We believe they have taken a fall.”
The search would resume if more evidence came to light, but the men’s deaths had been referred to a coroner, Walker added.
Aoraki is 3724 metres high and is part of the Southern Alps, the scenic and icy mountain range that runs the length of New Zealand’s South Island.
A settlement of the same name at its base is a destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
The peak is popular among experienced climbers.
Its terrain is technically difficult due to crevasses, avalanche risk, changeable weather and glacier movement.
More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park since the start of the 20th century.
