Three climbers from the US and Canada missing on New Zealand’s highest mountain

Original article by Eva Corlett in Wellington with agencies

Rescue teams looking for three climbers who went missing on New Zealand’s highest mountain have expressed “grave concerns” over the party’s welfare in the rugged terrain, as bad weather hampers search efforts for the second day in a row.

US nationals Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, and a Canadian man flew by helicopter on Saturday to a camp on Aoraki Mount Cook with plans to summit the 3,724 metre (12,218 ft) mountain.

The three men did not show up for their return flight on Monday morning, triggering the search-and-rescue effort.

Police are working with the US and Canadian embassies to inform and support the families of the three men. They have withheld details of the Canadian national until authorities can contact his family.

Helicopters and department of conservation staff were deployed to search the mountain on Monday. But on Wednesday Aoraki area commander inspector Vicki Walker told Radio New Zealand bad weather would probably force rescuers to delay a further search until Thursday.

Rescuers have focused their attention on the Zurbriggen ridge – believed to be the route the missing party took. On Monday, the search team unearthed several climbing-related items – including an ice-axe and a jacket – believed to belong to the trio.

A group of climbers descending the ridge told search teams they had spoken with a group heading up the mountain, believed to be the missing climbers, Walker said.

The ascending climbers had indicated their intention to summit the mountain, she said.

The routes are well-used but “things can change [and] the weather can change, that makes your intended route unsustainable,” Walker said. “We do hold grave concerns for the party.”

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Weather forecaster Metservice said gales, snow and thunderstorms were expected late on Wednesday, with weather due to clear on Thursday morning.

Aoraki Mount Cook is the highest peak in the Southern Alps – a harsh but scenic mountain terrain extending down much of the South Island.

Over the past century, dozens of climbers have died on Mount Cook, where rockfalls are common, avalanches often occur at higher altitudes and weather can deteriorate quickly. Local media reported in 2014 that 78 people had died since 1907.

Scores more have died in the surrounding national park, which is known for its mountains and glaciers.

Reuters contributed to this report