Rescue teams are intensifying efforts to locate three climbers who went missing on Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.
The climbers, Kurt Blair (56) and Carlos Romero (50) from the US, and an unnamed Canadian man, were last seen heading towards the 3,724-meter (12,218 ft) summit.
Their absence from a scheduled return flight on Monday sparked an ongoing search and rescue operation.
Authorities are deeply concerned about the welfare of the climbers due to worsening weather conditions.
Helicopters and Department of Conservation staff have been deployed, but adverse weather has delayed further searches.
Aoraki area commander, Inspector Vicki Walker, emphasized the challenges posed by gales, snow, and thunderstorms, with improved weather not expected until Thursday.
The rescue operation has centered on the Zurbriggen Ridge, the suspected route of the climbers.
Aoraki Mount Cook’s unpredictable conditions test rescue teams in a high-stakes operation.Items including an ice axe and jacket, believed to belong to the group, were found on Monday. A descending climbing party reported seeing individuals matching the description of the missing climbers heading up the mountain.
Walker expressed concerns about the mountain’s unpredictable conditions, stating, “The weather can change, making intended routes unsustainable.”
Aoraki Mount Cook is renowned for its harsh yet picturesque terrain, with avalanches, rockfalls, and rapid weather changes posing significant risks.
This tragedy underscores the dangers of climbing in the Southern Alps, where dozens have perished over the past century. As rescue teams brace for challenging conditions, support is being extended to the families of the climbers through US and Canadian embassy efforts.
Despite the grim outlook, search teams remain committed to resuming the operation once weather permits, holding out hope for a breakthrough in the search for the missing climbers.