LONDON — The hunt is on for three climbers who went missing while trying to reach the summit of New Zealand’s highest mountain, authorities said.
The three men – Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, from the United States, as well as a Canadian national – were visiting New Zealand and were reportedly late for their planned climb of the ‘Aoraki Mount Cook Monday. morning, Inspector Vicki Walker, Aoraki Area Commander, said in a statement.
“The men arrived at Plateau Hut at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, with the intention of summiting Mount Cook Aoraki via the Zurbriggen Ridge,” officials said. “They were due to board their flight at 8:30 a.m. on December 2, but did not arrive for the flight and were subsequently reported late.”
Aoraki Mt Cook is 12,218 feet high and is located in the Southern Alps, the mountain range that runs the length of New Zealand’s South Island.
A search was launched on Monday and involved search and rescue teams from the Department of Conservation, The Helicopter Line and local police.
Several items related to the climbing were found during the search and are believed to belong to the three missing men, authorities said.
A tourist takes a photo by a frozen lake at the foot of New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki, center, in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, August 17, 2020.
Mark Baker/AP
The search for three climbers could not resume on Wednesday due to unfavorable weather conditions on the mountain, officials confirmed.
“Weather conditions will likely prevent further search activity until Thursday of this week, but police will continue to monitor and assess conditions,” authorities said.
Police are working with the U.S. and Canadian embassies to inform and support the families of the three men.
“Further information regarding the third man will only be provided when we are sure all necessary family notifications have been made,” authorities continued.
The investigation into the missing men is currently ongoing.
