Three Mountaineers Disappear in Attempt to Summit New Zealand's Mount Cook

Three climbers, including two Americans, have gone missing while attempting to reach the summit of Mount Cook in New Zealand, prompting concerns as search teams face severe weather conditions.

On Monday, local authorities reported that three climbers—a duo from the United States and one from Canada—were unaccounted for following their attempt to scale Mount Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak. The men, identified as Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, failed to return for a pre-arranged flight meant to transport them back after their climb, according to Vicki Walker, commander of the local police.

The climbers had begun their ascent on Saturday, landing at a hut on Mount Cook, known as Aoraki in Māori, and began their journey with hopes of summiting the 12,000-foot peak, which is a hotspot for avid climbers in the Southern Alps region of New Zealand's South Island.

Search teams have located several climbing items that are believed to belong to the missing men; however, their efforts have been hampered by adverse weather conditions, necessitating a temporary suspension of search operations. As of now, no resumed search is anticipated until at least Thursday, following forecasts for extreme weather.

David Miller, a meteorologist from MetService, New Zealand's national weather service, noted that while no mountain weather alerts were issued over the weekend, conditions have deteriorated with alerts for gale-force winds, rains, and wind chills issued, raising concerns about the risk of hypothermia for anyone caught in the elements.

The American Mountain Guides Association has confirmed that both Blair and Romero are certified guides, specializing in skiing, alpine climbing, and rock climbing. Families and friends remain anxious as the situation unfolds, hoping for the safe return of the climbers.