Two climbers have died in a tragic fall on Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, while two other members of their group were rescued unharmed, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
Police Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said the bodies of the two climbers were located early Tuesday morning, and specialist alpine teams were working to recover them “in a challenging alpine environment.” Severe terrain, darkness, and high winds made the operation difficult.
Although police have not publicly identified the victims, the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association revealed that one of the deceased was a certified mountain guide and the other was the guide’s client. According to Sgt. Kevin McErlain, the pair were roped together when they fell near the summit ridge of Aoraki/Mount Cook — an exposed, technically demanding area known for unstable snow and ice conditions.
Authorities were alerted late Monday night that four climbers were in distress. A rescue helicopter managed to reach two of them in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Those survivors, though shaken, were uninjured.
Throughout the night, search crews in two helicopters continued scanning the upper slopes for the missing pair. They were found several hours later, but already deceased.
Aoraki/Mount Cook, rising 3,724 meters (12,218 feet), is a coveted but notoriously dangerous peak for mountaineers. Weather can change rapidly, and even experienced climbers face significant risk on its steep alpine routes.
The incident is under investigation, and both the guiding community and authorities have expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association said it was “deeply saddened” by the loss and emphasized the inherent challenges of high-altitude guiding on the country’s most formidable mountain.
