Two climbers remain missing on Aoraki Mt Cook

Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Two climbers reported overdue from a climb on New Zealand’s highest mountain on Monday remain missing as poor weather conditions continue to hamper rescue efforts.

Aoraki area commander Inspector Vicki Walker said search and rescue teams would search the mountain as soon as weather conditions allowed.

Walker said strong winds and rain had prevented a search on Monday and poor weather conditions continued on Tuesday.

There had been no update from police as of 4.30pm on Tuesday.

The MetService forecast for Wednesday included rain early in the day, a period of fine weather and light winds and southerlies in the afternoon with cloud expected in the evening.

On Sunday, the bodies of two climbers were recovered from Fiordland National Park after police were notified they were missing about 7.40pm on Saturday.

NZ Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said the two incidents were a sobering reminder of the seriousness of the country’s alpine environments.

“Glaciated terrain, rockfall, icefall and rapidly changing weather are constant risks, even during stable periods.

“New Zealand’s alpine environment should never be underestimated. Sabre Peak and Aoraki Mount Cook are among the country’s most complex and challenging alpine environments, where the consequences of a mistake are often severe.”

Daisley said the South Island’s high peaks had seen increased climbing activity in recent weeks, with periods of fine weather and favourable conditions.

“Good conditions encourage more people into the mountains, but they do not remove the hazards.”

He said Aoraki Mt Cook should only be attempted by climbers with appropriate experience and preparation.

“This peak is not suitable for inexperienced climbers. It requires extensive alpine skills, sound decision-making and familiarity with New Zealand’s unique mountain conditions.”

He said the search for the missing climbers on Aoraki Mount Cook was expected to be undertaken in the coming days.

“While the weather in the national park was mostly favourable over the weekend, it has since deteriorated, with rain and strong winds.”

The incidents come less than a month after IFMGA-qualified guide Thomas Vialletet and his American client Kellam Conover lost their lives while attempting to traverse the mountain.

In December last year, three climbers died on Aoraki Mt Cook and their bodies have not been recovered.

The last fatality on Sabre Peak was in 2020, when two men lost their lives while also attempting to climb the north buttress.