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Police Confirm Belief that Missing Climbers on Mt. Cook Have Died
Authorities in New Zealand have announced their strong belief that three climbers, who disappeared earlier this week on Aoraki Mt Cook—the nation’s highest peak—are presumed dead. The missing climbers include Americans Kurt Blair, aged 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, along with an unnamed Canadian national.
The men were reported missing on Monday after they did not arrive for their scheduled flight from the mountain. Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker indicated on Friday that the trio likely fell while attempting to navigate a ridge.
Efforts to locate the climbers were significantly hindered by adverse weather conditions over the past few days, prompting police to begin scaling back the search. Both helicopters and drones were utilized in an attempt to locate the three, who aimed to ascend Mt Cook on Saturday.
According to Inspector Walker, footage from drones has provided evidence of the climbers’ activities, showing indications of their crossing attempts on the slopes beneath the Zurbriggen Ridge. Reports indicate that among the debris found were footprints, clothing, and energy gels believed to belong to the men.
The route via the Zurbriggen Ridge is categorized as a Grade Four climb by Climb NZ, indicating that it demands considerable mountaineering skill and experience. It is noted that both Blair and Romero had extensive backgrounds in climbing.
A tribute from the Silverton Avalanche School in Colorado honored Blair as a cherished member of the San Juan mountains community, highlighting his legacy as part of a lineage of mountain enthusiasts. The tribute expressed admiration for his calm demeanor, which stood in contrast to the often brusque nature of mountain guiding.
A colleague mentioned to New Zealand’s Stuff news outlet that Blair, a father of two, had explored climbing opportunities around the globe. In a similar vein, the SWS Mountain Guides based in California referred to Romero—affectionately known as Kique—as a “beloved guide, educator, and mentor,” praising his proficiency and passion for climbing.
Romero, originally from Venezuela, had previously worked for several years at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. As for the Canadian climber, law enforcement has chosen not to disclose his identity out of respect for his family’s wishes.
Aoraki Mt. Cook, located in the South Island of New Zealand, rises to a height of 3,724 meters (12,217 feet) and remains a coveted challenge for climbers from around the world.
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