Three climbers – two from the United States and one from Canada – missing for five days on Aoraki, New Zealand the highest peak, are believed to have died in a fall, 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.
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 dangerous weather conditions in the area. On Friday, drone operators spotted footprints in the snow and other objects that authorities believe belong to the men.
The personal effects – including clothing, an ice ax and energy gels – were spotted by helicopter and recovered.
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“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, also known as Mount Cook, rises to 3,724 meters (12,218 feet) and is part of the Southern Alps, the picturesque, icy mountain range that stretches along the South Island of the New Zealand. 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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