Three climbers from the US and Canada are believed to have died in a fall on New Zealand's highest peak

New Zealand police stated on Friday that three mountaineers—two from the United States and one from Canada—are presumed to have died in a fall after being missing for five days on Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. Although their bodies have not been found, the search has been called off based on footprints discovered in the snow during aerial reconnaissance and items believed to belong to them recovered from the mountainside this week.

Police District Commander Inspector Vicki Walker told reporters that the American mountaineers, Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado, and Carlos Romero, 50, from California, were certified alpine guides. According to the American Mountain Guides Association's website, Blair and Romero held certifications in skiing, alpine climbing, and rock climbing. Blair resided in Durango, Colorado, while Romero lived in Livermore, California. At the request of their families, New Zealand authorities have not released the name of the Canadian mountaineer.

The three mountaineers flew to a mountain hut base camp last Saturday to begin their ascent and were reported missing on Monday when they did not return to the rendezvous point as scheduled. Police said searchers found several pieces of climbing equipment believed to belong to them hours later but found no trace of the climbers. The search was suspended for three days due to poor weather in the area. On Friday, drone operators discovered footprints in the snow and more items believed to belong to the mountaineers, which—including clothing, ice axes, and energy gels—were recovered by helicopter.

“Having assessed the number of days the mountaineers have been missing, the lack of contact, and the items we have recovered and today’s reconnaissance, we believe they are no longer alive. We believe they have fallen,” Inspector Walker said. She added that the search would resume if further evidence emerges, but the mountaineers' deaths have been referred to the coroner. Aoraki/Mount Cook, which stands at 3,724 meters, is part of the Southern Alps, a scenic, snow-capped mountain range that runs through New Zealand's South Island.

The eponymous settlement at the foot of the mountain is a tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. The peak is popular with experienced mountaineers, but its terrain is technically challenging due to crevasses, avalanche risks, changeable weather, and glacial movement. More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the peak and in the surrounding national park since the early 20th century.