Canadians, two American climbers are thought to have died after falling on a mountain in New Zealand – National
Three climbers – two from the US and one from Canada – who went missing for five days on Aoraki, New Zealand’s tallest peak, are believed to have died in a fall, authorities said on Friday.
The bodies of these men were not found. But due to footprints seen in the snow during an aerial survey, and items believed to be theirs that were taken from the slopes this week, the search for them has ended, Police Commander Inspector Vicki Walker told reporters.
The Americans – Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado and Carlos Romero, 50, from California – were certified alpine guides, according to the website of the non-profit American Mountain Guides Association. New Zealand authorities have not named the Canadian ranger at the request of his family.
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The men flew to the hut on the north side of the mountain on Saturday to start climbing and it is said that they got lost on Monday when they did not arrive to meet the things they had planned after climbing. Hours later, searchers found several items related to the hike believed to belong to the men, but there were no signs of them, police said.
The search was suspended for three days due to bad weather in the area. On Friday, drone operators saw footprints in the snow and other objects that authorities believe belonged to the men.
The items – including clothing, an ice ax and energy gels – were spotted by helicopter and have since been recovered.
“After reviewing the number of days the missing men were hiking, not communicating, the things we retrieved, and our investigation today, we do not believe these men survived,” said Walker. “We believe they have fallen.”
The investigation will continue if more evidence comes to light, but the men’s deaths have been turned over to the coroner, Walker said.
Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, is 3,724 meters (12,218 feet) high and is part of the Southern Alps, a range of beautiful and snowy mountains that run the length of New Zealand’s South Island. The area with the same name in its area is a destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
The peak is popular among experienced climbers. Its terrain is technically difficult due to crevasses, avalanche danger, changing weather and ice movement.
More than 240 people have died on this mountain and in the surrounding reserves since the beginning of the 20th century.
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