Aoraki Mt Cook climbers' deaths

The story so far

Police were alerted to the fall on the mountain's west side around 11.20pm, and the pair were part of a four-person group roped together in pairs.^{25, 26, 27 Nov 2025} The two who died were a Wānaka-based mountain guide and an American client, a lawyer, who had been climbing from Empress Hut towards the summit.^{26, 27 Nov 2025} Police recovered the bodies on Tuesday, and more than $26,000 has been raised for the guide's family.^{26 Nov 2025}

Key moments

1. 25 Nov 2025Two climbers fall near Aoraki Mt Cook summit; police alerted around 11.20pm.
2. 26 Nov 2025Victims identified as a Wānaka mountain guide and a United States client.
3. 26 Nov 2025Police recover the bodies on Tuesday; fundraising for the guide's family passes $26,000.
4. 27 Nov 2025Climbers identified as an American lawyer and guide, fallen from the west ridge.
5. 28 Nov 2025Report says the pair were completing a traverse of the mountain when they fell.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.