COLORADO, USA — An experienced Colorado climber was among three men presumed dead this week after they did not return from their ascent of New Zealand's tallest peak.
The Americans — Kurt Blair, 56, of Colorado, and Carlos Romero, 50, of California — are certified alpine guides, according to the website of the American Mountain Guides Association. A statement by New Zealand's police did not name the third climber, who is from Canada, citing the need to notify his family.
The men started their planned climb of Aorarki, also known as Mount Cook, on Saturday. They were due to meet their flight out from the mountain on Monday but didn't arrive, New Zealand Police said.
Search and rescue crews found several climbing-related items that are believed to belong to the men. Police said the search didn't resume on Tuesday due to deteriorating weather conditions.
The Silverton Avalanche School said on social media that their "friend and colleague Kurt Blair" was presumed deceased and that the climbers had likely taken a fatal fall from high on the mountain.
"Kurt was a beloved fixture of the San Juan mountains who comes from a proud lineage of mountain adventurers," the Silverton Avalanche School said. "The Durango local pivoted from a life of personal climbing accomplishments to chasing his dream of becoming a professional mountain guide, gaining IFMGA certification in 2022."
Blair is a guide with San Juan Mountain Guides. According to the San Juan Mountain Guides website, he has climbed in Alaska, Canada, Yosemite, the Swiss Alps, Ecuador and the Himalayas.
Aoraki is 12,218 feet high and is part of the Southern Alps, the scenic and icy mountain range that runs the length of New Zealand's South Island. A settlement of the same name at its base is a destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
The peak is popular among experienced climbers. Its terrain is technically difficult due to crevasses, avalanche risk, changeable weather and glacier movement.
More than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park since the start of the 20th century.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.