Two Americans and a Canadian went missing Saturday morning while climbing Mount Cook in New Zealand and are presumed dead.
Tributes poured in for the two Americans, named by officials as Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, while the Canadian climber has not yet been publicly identified.
On Monday, search teams reported discovering clothing and climbing equipment on the mountain, also known as Aoraki, although the search did not turn up the men.
The recovery mission was launched Monday after the three climbers were unable to return to their pre-arranged transportation down the mountain.
Both Blair and Romero are certified alpine guides, and Blair’s employer, Silverton Avalanche School in Colorado, said in a Facebook update that the group “appears to have suffered a fatal fall.”
They said the group was believed to be “high on the summit” of Mount Cook when they fell, and said their climbing gear allowed the teams to “put the tragedy together.”
Although the men’s bodies have not yet been found, the school said this is because “the remote, technical and highly glaciated terrain, coupled with deteriorating weather, has impeded the climbers’ recovery.”
Blair’s loved ones and climbing friends flooded social media after news of her disappearance became public, with her friend Missy Thompson sharing on Facebook: “I hold in my heart so many wonderful memories of the great adventures we have shared. And I will especially remember your true positivity and kindness, you made this world a better place.’
Two Americans and one Canadian are missing and presumed dead after disappearing from the summit of Mount Cook in New Zealand on Saturday morning (pictured is victim Kurt Blair)
Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki, is the highest mountain in New Zealand. The three men were reported missing on Monday after missing their return transportation.
Thompson said Blair had even sent him a happy birthday message from Mount Cook a few days before her disappearance, as he said there are “no words” to describe his loss.
Blair’s employer described him as “the nicest guy you would ever share a rope, a trail, or a skin track with.”
“Anyone who has spent time with Kurt in the mountains knows that his calm demeanor and positive presence ran counter to the harshness and sharp tongues so often exemplified by the tough ranks of mountain guides,” the climbing school said. .
After Romero and Blair were named publicly, New Zealand police say the name of the third Canadian climber will not be released until his family has been notified.
The three men had reportedly flown part of the way up the mountain to begin their ascent from a popular location known as Plateau Hut. Adventure.com.
It is unclear whether the men reached the summit of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, and search efforts were reportedly suspended until at least Thursday due to extreme weather conditions on the mountain.
Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said in a press release: “Police have been working with the US and Canadian embassies to inform and support the families of the three men.”
Blair’s friend Missy Thompson paid tribute to her on social media, saying she will “especially remember your true positivity and kindness, you made this world a better place.”
Blair, an experienced climber, was described by his employer, Silverton Avalanche School in Colorado, as “the nicest guy you’d ever share a rope, trail or skin track with.”
Mt. Cook is best known for appearing in the background of The Lord of the Rings trilogy (pictured) to set the stage for Mordor.
The base of Mount Cook is among the most popular tourist locations outside of New Zealand’s cities, and is best known for appearing in the background of The Lord of the Rings trilogy to set Mordor.
The peak is 3,724 meters high and traversing the mountain is only for experienced climbers due to the rugged terrain, deep crevasses, risk of avalanches and the possibility of extreme weather conditions.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, more than 240 deaths have been recorded in the mountains CTV News.