Two climbers have tragically lost their lives while scaling New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook.

The duo were undertaking a grand traverse of the mountain when they fell from the summit ridge on Monday (November 24) night.

One of the deceased was an IFMGA-qualified mountain guide and the other was their client. The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association reported that the tragic incident occurred around 11.50pm on Monday.

The pair were part of a team of four, which included two guides and their respective clients, who were all attempting the route together. The remaining two members of the group were safely brought down from the summit ridge unharmed, according to the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council.

The guide, who has not yet been formally identified by the police, is said to have been ‘an integral part of the guiding community’. The organisation is currently providing support to their partner and children during this difficult time, reports The Mirror.

MSC Chief Executive Mike Daisley noted that this time of year is particularly busy as many climbers are heading into the mountains.

He further stated: “Recent fine weather has drawn many mountaineers to the high alpine, with multiple guided and recreational teams summiting Aoraki/Mount Cook over the past week.

“Current conditions on the mountain are considered ideal for mountaineering, with firm overnight snow conditions and well-filled glaciers following early spring snowstorms.”

Anna Keeling, the President of NZMGA, paid tribute to the guide, stating: “They were an integral part of our guiding community. NZMGA’s focus is now on those most affected, and our priority is supporting the family, including their partner and children, as well as our wider guiding community during this extremely difficult time.”

The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers associated with mountaineering. In December 2024, three climbers, including two guides from the US and Canada, tragically lost their lives while attempting to scale Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Their bodies were never recovered. Daisley commented: “These mountaineering fatalities are a reminder of the high-consequence environment of our alpine mountains, especially our highest peak.

“Mountaineering has very little margin for error. Even the most qualified professionals cannot eliminate all risk.”

NZMGA has announced that a formal investigation into the incident will be conducted in due course. Keeling added: “There will be an opportunity for the NZMGA to understand and share more about what happened in this tragic accident.”

MSC and NZMGA extend their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, and the wider alpine and guiding community.