Three climbers – one Canadian and two Americans – missing for five days on Aoraki, New Zealand's highest peak, are believed to have died in a fall, local authorities announced Friday.
The men's bodies have not been found. But based on footprints seen in the snow during an aerial survey and items belonging to them recovered on the trails this week, their search is over, police area commander the Detective Vicki Walker.
The Americans — Kurt Blair, 56, of Colorado, and Carlos Romero, 50, of California — were certified alpine guides, according to the website of the American Mountain Guides Association, a nonprofit organization.
New Zealand authorities have not named the Canadian climber at the request of his family.
Reported missing on Monday
The men flew to a shelter halfway up the mountain on Saturday to begin their climb and were reported missing on Monday when they failed to arrive to meet their agreed upon transport after the climb. Hours later, searchers found several climbing-related items believed to belong to the men, but no sign of them, police said.
The search was suspended for three days due to severe weather conditions in the area. On Friday, drone operators spotted footprints in the snow and other objects that authorities believe belong to the men.
“After looking at the number of days the climbers were missing, no communication, the items we recovered and our reconnaissance today, we do not believe the men survived,” Walker said. “We think they fell.”
The search would resume if more evidence came to light, but the men's deaths have been referred to a coroner, Walker added.
Aoraki stands at 3,724 meters above sea level and is part of the Southern Alps, the picturesque, icy mountain range that stretches along New Zealand's South Island. A settlement of the same name at its base is a destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
The summit is popular among experienced climbers. Its terrain is technically difficult due to crevasses, avalanche risk, changing weather conditions 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.
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