Two climbers dead after fall near Aoraki Mt Cook summit overnight

Two climbers died while trying to ascend Aoraki Mt Cook last night.

Sergeant Kevin McErlain said four people were attempting to summit Aoraki Mt Cook at 11.50pm when two of them, connected by a rope, fell close to the summit.

The other climbers called for help and a search began.

Two people were airlifted off the mountain but the two fallen climbers were not found last night.

McErlain said the search resumed this morning and the two were found dead about 7am.

An operation now under way to reach them.

It was not yet clear what nationalities the climbers were.

‘New Zealand’s deadliest peak’

Known for its technically challenging faces, Aoraki Mt Cook has earned its title of New Zealand’s deadliest peak.

The mountain towers above its neighbours, at 3724m and can be seen from the West Coast as far north as Greymouth.

It’s a mountaineering marvel adventurers and tourists have flocked to for more than a century, and where 62 people have vanished without a trace.

Last year, American climbers Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, and an unnamed Canadian national, died on Aoraki Mt Cook.

The trio were reported overdue to return from their planned ascent of the mountain.

They flew into Plateau Hut at 3.30pm on Saturday November 30, planning to summit via Zurbriggen Ridge.

But they did not turn up for their 8.30am flight on Monday December 2.

A search and rescue operation was launched for the group.

A helicopter then found further climbing-related items on the mountain, including a top and energy gels.

Drone footage showed where the climbers attempted to traverse the slopes below a ridge.

Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50 are two of trio who went missing from Aoraki Mt Cook, South Island, last year.

Police said at the time that due to the length of time since the men were reported missing, lack of communications, items received and reconnaissance, they did not believe the men had survived.

It is believed they had fallen.

Search teams were hampered by treacherous conditions, at times it was too windy for helicopters and too dangerous to put search teams in the area.

Laura Lisowski, a friend of Blair’s, told the Herald he was an “absolutely magical human being”.

“I’ve climbed many places with many people around the world and never has a guide (or person in general, frankly) made such an impression on me as Kurt,” she said.

Kurt Blair, 56, presumably suffered a fatal fall on Aoraki Mt Cook. Photo / Supplied

Lisowski described Blair as an “extremely dynamic individual” who was full of wisdom and would never miss a “witty remark”.

More to come