BURSTTwo climbers have died while making a traverse of Aoraki (Mount Cook). They were part of a team of four when the accident happened. The group had left Empress Hut and was ascending in two roped teams, each consisting of a guide and a client.
The fatal fall occurred high on the west ridge, close to the summit. One climber in the upper rope team slipped, and because the pair was travelling roped together, both were pulled off. They fell several hundred metres down the face. The two climbers in the lower roped team were uninjured and were evacuated by helicopter in the early hours of the morning.
Rescuers located and recovered the bodies shortly after first light. Police and the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association have confirmed that one of the deceased was a certified mountain guide and the other was the guide’s client. Authorities are notifying the next of kin and have begun a formal investigation. The identities of the two climbers who died have been officially released.
Canterbury Aoraki area commander inspector Vicki Walker said in a press release, “We’re working under the jurisdiction of the coroner to return them to their loved ones. Police are contacting the next of kin. Until that process has been completed we won’t be releasing any further information.” More than 240 fatalities have been recorded on Aoraki and in its national park over the past 100-plus years.
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