Three climbers missing for five days during an ascent on New Zealand’s tallest mountain are believed to be dead.
The men’s bodies have not been found, but police inspector Vicki Walker said the search on Aoraki is over after drone operators spotted footprints in the snow and found items believed to belong to the men.
She said the search would resume if more evidence came to light, but the men’s deaths had been referred to a coroner five days on from their disappearance.
“We believe they have taken a fall,” she added, listing the number of days they’ve been missing, the lack of communication and the items found as reasons to assume the worst.
“We do not believe the men have survived.”
Americans Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, were certified alpine guides, according to the Mountain Guides Association.
The third man, a Canadian, has not been named at the request of his family.
The trio flew to a hut partway up the mountain on Saturday to begin their climb and were reported missing on Monday, when they didn’t meet their pre-arranged transport.
Hours later, a rescue party found several climbing-related items believed to belong to the men, but no sign of them.
Amid adverse weather conditions, the search stalled for three days before drone operators spotted footprints in the snow on Friday and more items such as clothing, an ice axe and energy gels.
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More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain – also known as Mount Cook – and surrounding national park since the turn of the century.
Aoraki is 3,724 metres (12,218ft) high and is part of the Southern Alps, the scenic and icy mountain range spanning the length of New Zealand’s South Island.
The peak is a popular climb, but its terrain is technically difficult because of crevasses, avalanche risk, weather and glacier movement.
