Three mountain climbers – two from the US and one from Canada – have been missing for five days on New Zealand’s highest mountain, authorities believe have died in a fall.
No human bodies were found. But tracks on Mount Aoraki were seen in an aerial view of the snow, and items believed to be related to those recovered from the slopes this week have ended the search for them, regional police inspector Vicki Walker told reporters.
The Americans – Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado and Carlos Romero, 50, from California – are certified alpine guides, according to the website of the non-profit American Mountaineering Association. New Zealand authorities have not named the Canadian exhibit at the request of his family.
The men flew to the side of the hut on the way up the mountain on Saturday to begin their ascent and were reported missing on Monday when they failed to meet the post-climb transport. Investigators hours later reported a number of incidents related to the ascents of people they believed to be men, but there was no sign of them, police said.
It was asked to be stalled for three days because of the severe weather in the area. On Friday, drone operators found several footprints in the snow and more, which authorities believe may be people.
“After reviewing the number of days the climbers were missing, there was no communication, we carried out the stuff, and today we checked, we don’t believe the men are alive,” Walker said. “We believe he has taken the fall.”
I will ask, if more evidence comes to light, the human remains will be referred to the coroner, Walker added.
Aoraki is 3,724 meters (12,218 feet) high and is part of the Southern Alps, a scenic and glacial mountain range that runs the length of New Zealand’s South Island. The transfer of the same name on its base targets domestic and foreign tourists.
The peak is popular with the experts of the region. Its terrain is technically difficult because of crevasses, the risk of snow, changeable weather and ice movements.
More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and nationally since the beginning of the 20th century.