Two climbers, including a United States national, died after a fall near the summit of Aoraki — New Zealand’s highest and most challenging peak — underscoring once again the extreme risks faced by mountaineers in the Southern Alps. The pair were part of a four-member team attempting the ascent on Monday when an emergency call triggered a late-night search. A helicopter rescue crew managed to locate and airlift two climbers, a guide and a client, who were unharmed, but harsh alpine conditions made it difficult to find the remaining men until the following morning.
Authorities later recovered both bodies from high on the mountain after a search that continued overnight in freezing temperatures and dangerous terrain. Police confirmed that one victim was a US citizen and said they are working with the United States consulate while a coroner’s investigation proceeds. The other climber was an internationally recognised guide and member of the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association, prompting widespread grief within the country’s alpine community. Early reports suggest the two were roped together when they fell close to the summit ridge at 3,724 metres (12,218 feet).
Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, draws elite climbers from around the world but is notorious for its volatility and technical difficulty. The combination of steep ice faces, hidden crevasses, unstable glaciers and sudden weather changes makes even experienced expeditions vulnerable to fatal accidents. More than 240 climbers have died on Aoraki and in the surrounding national park since the early 20th century, and several bodies have never been recovered due to the mountain’s unforgiving and shifting landscape. The latest tragedy reinforces the reality that despite modern safety equipment and expert guidance, some of the world’s most admired climbing routes remain among the most dangerous.
