Mountaineers Missing on New Zealand’s Mount Cook #

Three mountaineers from the United States and Canada were reported missing after failing to return from their climb on Mount Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak. They did not appear for a scheduled charter flight off the mountain.

The missing climbers included two Americans, Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, alongside an unnamed Canadian. Severe weather conditions hinder search efforts, leading to a temporary suspension. The search may not resume until later in the week.

The men embarked on their ascent after flying to a hut on Mount Cook, also known by its Māori name, Aoraki, on a Saturday afternoon. This peak, at about 12,000 feet, lies in the Southern Alps and is popular among climbers.

Weather conditions deteriorated, with gale force winds and risks such as hypothermia due to rain and wind chill, complicating rescue operations. The Americans were noted to be certified guides in skiing, alpine climbing, and rock climbing.