Three mountain climbers – one from Canada and two from the US – missing for five days on Aoraki, New Zealand's highest peak, are believed to have died in a fall, local authorities said on Friday.
The bodies of the men were not found. But based on footprints seen in the snow during an aerial survey, and items believed to belong to them recovered from the slopes this week, the search for them is on come to an end, Police District Chief Inspector Vicki Walker told reporters.
The Americans — Kurt Blair, 56, of Colorado and Carlos Romero, 50, of California — were certified as alpine guides, according to the website of the nonprofit American Mountain Guides Association.
New Zealand authorities have not named the Canadian climber at the request of his family.
She was reported missing on Monday
The men went to a hut halfway up the mountain on Saturday to begin their ascent and were reported missing on Monday when they failed to arrive to meet their pre-arranged post-climb transport. A few hours later, investigators found several items related to climbing that are believed to have belonged to the men, but no sign of them, the police said.
Search was suspended for three days due to bad weather in the area. On Friday, drone operators spotted footprints in the snow and more items that authorities believe belong to the men.
“After reviewing the number of days the climbers have been missing, without contact, the items we have recovered, and our statement today, we are not “We believe the men have survived,” said Walker. “We believe they have fallen.”
The investigation will resume if more evidence comes to light, but the men's deaths have been referred to the coroner, Walker said.
Aoraki is 3,724 meters high and is part of the Southern Alps, the scenic and icy mountain range that runs the length of New Zealand's South Island. A settlement of the same name at its base is a destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
The peak is popular among experienced climbers. Its terrain is technically difficult due to faults, avalanche danger, variable weather and glacier movement.
More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park since the beginning of the 20th century.
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