Two American climbers disappear on a New Zealand mountain.
Two American climbers, Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, were identified as missing on Aoraki.
Officials announced that two American climbers and a Canadian climber are missing after failing to return from their attempt to summit New Zealand's highest peak on Monday.
The search for three individuals, including Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado, Carlos Romero, 50, of California, and a Canadian man whose identity is being withheld at his family's request, on Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, has been hindered due to deteriorating weather conditions and treacherous terrain.
On Saturday, climbers flew to a hut halfway up the 12,218-foot alpine mountain to begin their ascent via Zurbriggen Ridge, according to police Inspector Vicki Walker, Aoraki area commander. However, when the men failed to board their flight out on Monday morning, they were reported as overdue.
Several climbing-related items belonging to the missing climbers were recovered, but there was no sign of them.
The search operation for the three climbers has been paused since Monday night due to heavy rain and snowy conditions, and police have expressed grave concerns for their safety. The search is expected to resume once the weather clears, which is unlikely before Thursday.
The three men who died in the avalanche were reported to have fallen fatally from the peak, according to the Silverton Avalanche School where Blair worked.
"Blair was a beloved client and student of the school due to his humility, competence, and polite nature. His loss as a backcountry partner is a significant blow to those who have spent a lot of time with him."
Romero, a beloved guide, educator, and mentor, was highly respected for his skills as a mountain guide at SWS Mountain Guides.
According to the American Mountain Guides Association, both Blair and Romero are certified alpine guides.
The Southern Alps' Aoraki peak, situated on New Zealand's South Island, is renowned for its stunning views and challenging terrain, featuring crevasses, avalanche risk, unpredictable weather, and glacier movement.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, over 240 fatalities have occurred on the mountain and in its surrounding national park.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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