The search for three climbers missing on Aoraki Mount Cook for more than three weeks resumed today — returning with a ski pole.
Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, from the US and a Canadian national were reported overdue on December 2.
“Due to a change in climatic condition, police — alongside Search and Rescue staff and Department of Conservation — conducted a further search at a location of interest on the mountain,” Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said today.
“Staff travelled up the mountain via helicopter and, while the search for the men was unsuccessful, a ski pole was located.”
Walker said police were in contact with the families of the three men to provide updates on the search efforts.
“We are continuing to follow the process to formally suspend our search, however we remain poised to reactivate the search if fresh information or credible sightings are reported, especially from the climbing community.”
