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U.S. Climber and Renowned NZ Guide Killed in Fall on Aoraki / Mount Cook

Two climbers from the same party died after falling near the summit of Aoraki / Mount Cook; one was a U.S. national and the other an internationally recognised New Zealand guide. Two teammates were airlifted to safety and were uninjured. Authorities recovered the bodies late Tuesday and said a coroner will investigate; the U.S. consulate has been informed. Aoraki (12,218 ft) is known for crevasses, avalanches and rapidly changing weather, and has recorded more than 240 deaths since the early 20th century.

12:46 PM, 11/26/2025Society
U.S. Climber and Renowned NZ Guide Killed in Fall on Aoraki / Mount Cook

Two members of a climbing party died after a fall near the summit of Aoraki / Mount Cook on New Zealand's South Island, officials said. Two other members of the group were rescued by helicopter and were uninjured.

Police confirmed one of the deceased was a U.S. national. Rescue specialists from volunteer organisations and government agencies recovered the bodies late Tuesday local time, Police Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said. Authorities are coordinating with the U.S. consulate, and a New Zealand coroner will investigate the deaths.

The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association said the other person who died was an internationally recognised climbing guide and a member of the association. Sgt. Kevin McErlain told local media the pair had been roped together when they fell near Aoraki's summit.

Authorities were alerted late Monday night that four climbers needed help on the mountain. Two were airlifted to safety in the early hours of Tuesday and were uninjured. Search crews operating two helicopters searched through the night; the remaining climbers were found dead hours later and their bodies recovered late Tuesday.

About Aoraki / Mount Cook

Aoraki rises to 12,218 feet and is part of the Southern Alps, a glaciated range that runs much of the length of the South Island. The peak is popular with experienced mountaineers but poses significant technical challenges: crevasses, avalanche risk, rapidly changing weather and shifting glaciers all create persistent hazards.

More than 240 deaths have been recorded on Aoraki and within the surrounding national park since the start of the 20th century, and dozens of climbers who died there were never recovered.

Wider Context

Officials noted this tragedy follows several recent fatal incidents on major peaks worldwide. In December 2024, three climbers — two Americans and a Canadian — were believed to have fallen to their deaths on Aoraki after being missing for five days. The Americans were identified as certified alpine guides Kurt Blair, 56, of Colorado, and Carlos Romero, 50, of California. Other recent mountaineering fatalities cited by authorities include an avalanche at a high-altitude camp on Mount Yalung Ri in Nepal and separate deaths on K2, El Capitan and peaks in Central Asia.

Investigation: New Zealand authorities will continue their inquiry with support from the coroner's office. Further details, including the identities of the two climbers recovered this week, have not yet been released pending next-of-kin notifications and formal investigations.

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