In brief
Authorities believe that three climbers, including two Americans, are unlikely to survive after going missing on New Zealand’s tallest mountain.
The search for three climbers missing on Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, has reached a somber conclusion as authorities suspect they may have perished due to severe weather conditions. The climbers, Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, both Americans, along with an unidentified Canadian, set off for the summit but failed to return as scheduled. After their charter flight was missed, a search was launched on Monday but was severely hindered by bad weather.Rescue teams discovered personal items, including a jacket and an ice ax, believed to belong to the climbers, as well as footprints along Zurbriggen Ridge. Commander Inspector Vicki Walker confirmed in a statement that, after assessing the duration of the disappearance, lack of communication, and retrieved equipment, they do not anticipate a successful rescue. Both Americans were experienced mountaineers, certified in skiing and climbing. The families have been notified of the distressing situation.
