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Tragedy has struck on New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki, as two climbers have lost their lives, while two others from the same expedition were successfully rescued, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The bodies of the deceased climbers have been located, and specialist teams are now undertaking the difficult task of recovering them from the challenging alpine conditions, according to Police Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker.
While the identities of the climbers remain undisclosed, a statement from the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association revealed that one of the deceased was a member of their organization, and the other was a client under their guidance.
Sgt. Kevin McErlain informed The Timaru Herald that the unfortunate pair had been roped together when they tragically fell near the summit of Aoraki, which is also internationally known as Mount Cook.
Sgt Kevin McErlain told The Timaru Herald the pair had been connected by a rope when they fell near the summit of Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook.
Authorities learned late Monday night local time that four climbers needed help on the mountain, which is on New Zealand’s South Island.
Two of the climbers were rescued by helicopter in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Walker said.
They were uninjured. Searchers in two helicopters looked throughout the night for the other climbers, who were found dead hours later.
Aoraki is 3,724m high and is part of the Southern Alps, the scenic and icy mountain range that runs the length of the South Island.
Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, is shown at sunset, March 30, 2014, in Twizel, New Zealand. (AP Photo/Carey J. Williams, File)
A settlement at its base is a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
The peak is known among experienced climbers. Its terrain is technically difficult due to crevasses, avalanche risk, changeable weather and glacier movement.
Dozens of deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park since 1900.
Many of those who died on the mountain have never been found.
This includes three men, two from the United States and one from Canada, who were believed to have died on Aoraki in December 2024.
The Americans – Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado and Carlos Romero, 50, of California – were certified alpine guides.
The climbers were missing for five days before New Zealand authorities halted a search for them, saying discoveries of their belongings suggested the men had fallen to their deaths.
