Three Mountaineers Missing on New Zealand’s Highest Mountain

Two American men and a Canadian man are missing after they failed to return from their attempt to summit New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook, on Monday. A search-and-rescue (SAR) operation is underway to find the missing mountaineers, but New Zealand SAR officials say adverse weather conditions on the mountain have forced them to pause their efforts.

“The climbers were due to complete their climb at 8.30am [Monday, December 2] but did not meet their prearranged transport,” reads a report from the New Zealand Police Department. “Police Search and Rescue and Department of Conservation Search and Rescue are working together to locate the three men.”

New Zealand police have identified the two missing American mountaineers as Kurt Blair (56) and Carlos Romero (50). The Canadian man remains unidentified as of this writing. Police say the three men flew into Plateau Hut on Saturday afternoon, November 30, with plans to summit Aoraki Mt Cook via Zurbriggen Ridge.

Search efforts have uncovered several “climbing-related items” believed to belong to the three missing mountaineers.

This situation is still developing. Check back for updates.

Header image by Jörg Hempel

Two American men and a Canadian man are missing after they failed to return from their attempt to summit New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook, on Monday. A search-and-rescue (SAR) operation is underway to find the missing mountaineers, but New Zealand SAR officials say adverse weather conditions on the mountain have forced them to pause their efforts.

“The climbers were due to complete their climb at 8.30am [Monday, December 2] but did not meet their prearranged transport,” reads a report from the New Zealand Police Department. “Police Search and Rescue and Department of Conservation Search and Rescue are working together to locate the three men.”

New Zealand police have identified the two missing American mountaineers as Kurt Blair (56) and Carlos Romero (50). The Canadian man remains unidentified as of this writing. Police say the three men flew into Plateau Hut on Saturday afternoon, November 30, with plans to summit Aoraki Mt Cook via Zurbriggen Ridge.

Search efforts have uncovered several “climbing-related items” believed to belong to the three missing mountaineers.

This situation is still developing. Check back for updates.

Header image by Jörg Hempel