Climbers missing on Aoraki/Mount Cook as two others found dead in Fiordland

Aoraki area commander Inspector Vicki Walker said conditions will dictate the search for the Aoraki/Mount Cook climbers. Photo / Les Molloy

Two climbers on Aoraki/Mount Cook are overdue, while another two South Island climbers have been found dead.

Aoraki area commander Inspector Vicki Walker said conditions will dictate the search for the Aoraki/Mount Cook climbers.

“There are currently strong winds and rain in the area,” Walker said.

“Police and Department of Conservation Search and Rescue are working together and will search on the mountain as weather conditions allow.”

Two men died last month attempting a grand traverse of Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Meanwhile, police search and rescue have recovered two bodies from the Fiordland National Park.

Police were notified about 7.40pm on Saturday when another climbing party activated a beacon after the pair failed to return.

One of the pair was found dead but access was difficult due to the deteriorating weather on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, police and Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue specialists returned and found the second person dead.

Both bodies were extracted in what police described as a difficult and technical rescue. The north buttress of Sabre Peak, where the bodies were located, is a 500m-long route.

One of the dead was an Australian citizen; the second person was a dual citizen of New Zealand and Canada, who resided in Australia.

Sergeant Alun Griffiths thanked the Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue team, RCCNZ, Heliworks and Southern Lakes Helicopters in what was a challenging recovery.

“This is a result nobody wanted, and our thoughts are with their families,“ said Griffiths.

The deaths have been referred to the Coroner.