Search for two missing Aoraki/Mount Cook climbers called off

Thursday 18 December 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Thu 18 Dec 2025, 4:08pm

In this story Department of Conservation

Police have ended the search for two climbers missing on Aoraki/Mount Cook after evidence suggested they were caught in a large ice avalanche on the upper Linda Glacier. Climbing equipment was found in a known icefall hazard zone, and the men are not believed to be alive.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffThu 18 Dec 2025, 3:13pm

   Search for missing Mount Cook climbers called off after avalanche (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsThu 18 Dec 2025, 3:23pm

   'Not believed to be alive': Search for two climbers on Mt Cook called off (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesThu 18 Dec 2025, 3:49pm

   Mt Cook climbers 'buried by unsurvivable avalanche' (opens in new tab)

4. RNZThu 18 Dec 2025, 4:02pm

   Ice avalanche likely killed Aoraki/Mount Cook climbers - police (opens in new tab)

5. NZ HeraldThu 18 Dec 2025, 4:08pm

   Aoraki Mt Cook: Search called off for climbers after ice avalanche (opens in new tab)