Key Takeaways
- The search for two missing climbers on Aoraki Mt Cook has been called off due to the belief that they did not survive an ice avalanche.
- The climbers were attempting to summit Aoraki Mt Cook via the Linda Glacier route and were reported missing when they failed to return to Plateau Hut.
- Search efforts were hindered by unstable weather conditions and the treacherous terrain of the Linda Glacier.
- The incident occurred just three weeks after another fatal accident on the same mountain, where a New Zealand guide and their US client died after falling from a ridge near the summit.
- The police and Department of Conservation have expressed sympathy for the families of the missing climbers and will consider a recovery operation if weather conditions allow.
Introduction to the Incident
The search for two climbers who went missing on Aoraki Mt Cook has been called off, with police believing that the pair did not survive an ice avalanche. The men, who have not been named, set off on their expedition on Friday, December 12, from the Tasman Valley car park, with the intention of summitting Aoraki Mt Cook via the Linda Glacier route. They departed from Plateau Hut on the following evening, but failed to return on Monday morning, prompting the Department of Conservation to launch a search and rescue operation.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The search efforts, which spanned three days, were hindered by unstable weather conditions, which only allowed search teams to operate when the weather permitted. Despite these challenges, search teams were able to locate some items of climbing equipment, which led to a visual investigation of the area. This investigation revealed that the overdue climbers had been caught in a significant ice avalanche within a known icefall hazard zone on the upper Linda Glacier. According to Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker, the scale and volume of material involved in the avalanche made it unlikely that the climbers could have survived.
The Dangers of the Linda Glacier
The Linda Glacier is a notoriously unforgiving alpine environment, with conditions that can change rapidly and expose even highly experienced climbers to unexpected hazards. These hazards include icefall, crevasses, avalanches, and extreme weather, making it a challenging and dangerous terrain to navigate. DOC Aoraki Mount Cook operations manager Sally Jones emphasized the risks associated with climbing in this area, stating that "the Linda Glacier is an unforgiving alpine environment" and that "conditions can change rapidly, and even highly experienced climbers are exposed to unexpected hazards."
Recovery Operations
Due to the unstable nature of the terrain, a recovery operation is not currently possible, and the area remains too dangerous for ground crews to access. However, police have not ruled out the possibility of a recovery operation in the future, should warmer weather allow for safer access to the area. Aerial reconnaissance has been unable to pinpoint the location of the climbers’ bodies, but police will continue to monitor the situation and consider a recovery operation if conditions improve. As Inspector Walker stated, "Sadly, for now, we can’t reach them and they lie in rest on the maunga, and our sympathy is with their whānau."
Recent Fatalities on Aoraki Mt Cook
This incident is not an isolated one, as it comes just three weeks after another fatal accident on Aoraki Mt Cook. In that incident, a New Zealand guide and their US client died after falling from a ridge near the summit. The recent spate of accidents on the mountain serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges associated with climbing in this region. The police and Department of Conservation have expressed their sympathy for the families of the missing climbers and will continue to work together to ensure that the risks associated with climbing in this area are mitigated as much as possible.
