Climbers killed on Aoraki Mt Cook were Wānaka guiding company owner and American climber
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
A climbing guide who died alongside an American client while attempting to reach the summit of Aoraki Mt Cook has been identified as an internationally renowned mountaineer based in Wānaka.
The pair were among a party of four when they fell to their deaths on Monday night while trying to ascend New Zealand’s highest mountain.
Stuff has named one of the two as Thomas Vialletet, a father of two and co-owner of Summit Explorers, a mountain and ski guiding company in Wānaka.
Vialletet was a highly qualified guide and member of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations.
He grew up in the French Alps, where he climbed, skied and explored mountains for more than two decades, and had a diploma in sport management and photography.
“His quest for mountain adventures brought him to New Zealand and he immediately fell in love with the wilderness of this country,” his company profile said.
Vialletet was part of the French National Young Alpinism Team between 2009 and 2012, before turning his passion to guiding.
He owned Summit Explorers with his wife, Danielle Vialletet.
Earlier this month he guided a successful climb of Aoraki Mt Cook, a 25-hour ascent via the East Ridge from Plateau Hut.
Posting about it on Instagram, he said: “So many years spent looking at that magnificent skyline, thinking one day it will be awesome to wander that way to climb the mighty Aoraki….
“Guiding it, it’s a like a professional dream that came true for myself.”
The tragedy occurred late on Monday night.
On Wednesday morning, Canterbury Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker confirmed the bodies of both climbers had been recovered with the assistance of Department of Conservation and the Rescue Coordination Centre.
“We can now begin the process of returning these men to their families,” Walker said.
“I want to thank all of those involved in the rescue and recovery, it has been a difficult period, most of all for the families of the two climbers and the wider community.
“We can confirm one of the climbers is from the United States of America, and we continue to work with the US consulate.”
Walker said that about 10.45pm on Monday, the group were climbing to the summit of Aoraki Mt Cook from Empress Hut when two members fell from a ridge onto the west side of the mountain.
Police were notified about 11.20pm.
“A helicopter from Queenstown uplifted staff from the Department of Conservation Aoraki Search and Rescue team, while a helicopter from Dunedin flew straight to the mountain and began searching.
“The helicopter from Dunedin located two climbers in the group, who were airlifted from the mountain about 2.15am on Tuesday.
“Both helicopters searched throughout the night.”
Walker said the two helicopters completed extensive searches throughout the night for their bodies. They were found dead about 7am on Tuesday morning.
“Our thoughts are with their families and friends at this time.”
“The matter is now with the Coroner and a formal identification process has begun.”
The two rescued climbers – another guide and client – were uninjured.
Sergeant Kevin McErlain said the two climbers who fell were connected by a rope, and near the summit.
Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said this time of year was the busy mountaineering season, with many climbers heading into the mountains.
“Recent fine weather has drawn many mountaineers to the high alpine, with multiple guided and recreational teams summiting Aoraki/Mount Cook over the past week,” Daisley said.
“Current conditions on the mountain are considered ideal for mountaineering, with firm overnight snow conditions and well-filled glaciers following early spring snowstorms.”
American duo Kurt Blair and Cique Romero and a Canadian national they were guiding vanished after attempting to climb Aoraki Mt Cook on November 30, 2024.
Their bodies had never been recovered.