Three climbers feared dead on Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak

Three climbers are feared dead on New Zealand's tallest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook, after going missing earlier this week.

The missing climbers were identified as Americans Kurt Blair (56) and Carlos Romero (50), along with an unnamed Canadian national.

They were reported missing on Monday when they failed to meet their scheduled flight from the mountain.

Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker stated on Friday that the police believed the climbers had fallen while attempting to cross a ridge. The search efforts, which had been hindered by bad weather in recent days, are now being scaled back.

Helicopters and drones had been deployed to try to locate the climbers, who set out to scale Mt Cook on Saturday.

Drone footage revealed clues of their journey, including footprints, equipment, clothes, and energy gels, believed to have belonged to the men. The climbers were reportedly attempting to cross the slopes below the Zurbriggen Ridge, a challenging Grade Four climb that requires extensive mountaineering experience. Both Blair and Romero were described as experienced climbers.

Blair was remembered by the Silverton Avalanche School in Colorado as a "beloved fixture" of the San Juan mountains. A tribute on social media praised his calm demeanor and positive attitude. Blair, a father of two, had climbed around the world.

Romero, known as "Kique," was honored by the California-based SWS Mountain Guides, who described him as a "beloved guide, educator, and mentor." Romero, originally from Venezuela, had worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California for several years.

Out of respect for the family’s wishes, the police have not released the name of the Canadian climber.

Mt Cook, located on New Zealand's South Island, stands at 3,724 metres and is a popular challenge for climbers from around the world.