It's likely two climbers missing on Aoraki Mount Cook were killed in a ice avalanche - and search efforts have ended
It's likely two climbers missing on Aoraki Mount Cook were killed in a ice avalanche - and search efforts have ended
18 December 2025
The pair set off to summit New Zealand's highest peak on Friday - taking the Linda Glacier route.
A search mission was launched on Monday when they didn't return - hampered by bad weather.
Police say there's evidence of an unsurvivable avalanche in a known icefall hazard zone - on the upper Linda Glacier.
The Department of Conservation's Sally Jones says the area's too unstable to attempt a recovery operation.
She says Aoraki has immense beauty and significance but can be extremely brutal on those who attempt to climb it.
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