Two climbers have died after falling on New Zealand’s highest and most treacherous peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. The pair were part of a four-person team attempting the 3,724-meter summit when the fall occurred.
The two other climbers in the group were unharmed and were rescued by helicopter early Tuesday. The bodies of the deceased, who were still connected by their climbing harness, have been located, but recovery efforts are ongoing in what authorities describe as a “challenging alpine environment.”
While the climbers have not been officially identified, one was reported to be a well-known, internationally recognized mountain guide, underscoring the peak’s extreme danger even for experts. The mountain is notorious for its large crevasses and volatile weather.
The tragedy is a somber reminder of the mountain’s lethal reputation; dozens of climbers have died on its slopes, and fatalities are a recurring feature of every climbing season. This incident echoes a similar disappearance of three climbers on the mountain nearly a year ago.
By James Kisoo
