Three climbers missing for five days on Mount Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain, are presumed to have fallen to their deaths, police confirmed.
The climbers were identified as Americans Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, along with a Canadian whose name has not been disclosed at the family’s request. Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki, rises 3,700 meters (12,000 feet) on the South Island and is a popular yet challenging climbing destination.
“We do not believe the men have survived. We believe they have taken a fall,” said Inspector Vicki Walker, a local police officer overseeing the search efforts.
Severe weather conditions had delayed the search for three days. However, a break in the weather on Friday allowed search teams to deploy helicopters and drones to scan the alpine terrain.
During the search, crews recovered a jacket and an ice axe believed to belong to the climbers. Drone footage also revealed footprints on slopes beneath the Zurbriggen Ridge, suggesting the route the trio had attempted.
“After reviewing the number of days the climbers have been missing, the lack of communication, the items recovered, and today’s reconnaissance, we do not believe the men have survived,” Walker stated. “This is certainly not the news we wanted to share today.”
The families of all three climbers have been informed of the tragic development. Police have assured they will restart the search if credible sightings or new information emerge.
Mount Cook, known for its stunning beauty and perilous conditions, continues to attract adventurers despite the risks. This incident underscores the dangers of alpine climbing and the unpredictability of mountainous weather.