Three climbers – two Americans and a Canadian – who have been missing for five days on New Zealand's highest peak are believed to have died after falling, authorities said.
The man's body has not been found. But based on footprints found in the snow of Mt Aoraki during an aerial survey and items believed to be theirs recovered from the slopes this week, the search for them was over, police area commander Vicky Walker said. Inspector told reporters.
The Americans, Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado, and Carlos Romero, 50, from California, were certified alpine guides, according to the website of the nonprofit American Mountain Guides Association. New Zealand authorities are not releasing the Canadian climber's name at the request of his family.
The men flew to a hut on the mountainside to begin the climb on Saturday, but their pre-arranged transport failed to arrive after the climb and they were reported missing on Monday. Police said searchers several hours later found some climbing-related items believed to belong to the man, but there was no sign of him.
The search was suspended for three days due to severe weather conditions in the area. On Friday, drone pilots found footprints in the snow and several items that authorities believe belonged to the man.
“Based on the number of days the climbers have been missing, the lack of contact, the items recovered, and today's reconnaissance, we do not believe they survived,” Walker said. . “We believe they fell.”
The search will resume if more evidence comes to light, Walker added, but the men's deaths have been referred to the coroner.
Aoraki is 3,724 meters (12,218 ft) above sea level and is part of the Southern Alps, a scenic, icy mountain range that runs through New Zealand's South Island. The village of the same name at its foot has become a destination for domestic and international tourists.
This peak is popular with experienced climbers. The terrain is technically challenging due to crevasses, avalanche hazards, changeable weather, and glacier movement.
More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and surrounding national park since the early 20th century.
