Police have called off the search for two climbers missing on Aoraki Mt Cook, stating they are not believed to be alive. The men began their journey on Friday, December 12, departing from the Tasman Valley car park and heading towards Plateau Hut.
Search Efforts and Findings
The climbers left Plateau Hut the following evening, intending to reach the summit via the Linda Glacier route. The Department of Conservation was notified when they failed to return to the hut on Monday morning. A three-day search and rescue operation, conducted when weather permitted, ensued.
Search teams discovered “some items of climbing equipment.” According to Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker, a visual assessment determined the climbers were caught in a significant ice avalanche within a known icefall hazard zone on the upper Linda Glacier.
Unsurvivable Conditions
Inspector Walker stated, “Because of the scale and volume of material involved, we don’t believe this avalanche was survivable.” DOC Aoraki Mount Cook operations manager Sally Jones confirmed the area remains too unstable for ground crews to attempt a recovery operation.
While aerial reconnaissance has not located the climbers’ bodies, police indicated they may reconsider a recovery operation if conditions improve with warmer weather. Inspector Walker expressed, “Sadly, for now, we can’t reach them and they lie in rest on the maunga, and our sympathy is with their whānau.”
This incident follows another fatality on Aoraki Mt Cook three weeks prior, where a New Zealand guide and a US client died after falling from a ridge near the summit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What route were the climbers attempting?
The climbers intended to summit Aoraki Mt Cook via the Linda Glacier route.
When were authorities alerted to the climbers’ disappearance?
The Department of Conservation was alerted when the pair failed to return to Plateau Hut on Monday morning.
Is a recovery operation planned?
Currently, a recovery operation is not possible due to unstable conditions. Police will consider one if warmer weather allows.
Given the inherent risks of mountaineering in this region, what further safety measures might be considered for future expeditions?
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