Fears of fatal fall for missing climbers on Aoraki Mt Cook

Friends and family of three climbers lost on Aoraki Mount Cook have been told to expect the worst with equipment found on the mountain suggesting the group may have suffered a catastrophic fall. One of the missing men, Kurt Blair, was a qualified international mountain guide. Silverton Avalanche School executive director Michael Ackerman, is a long time friend, colleague and climbing partner of his. He told Lisa Owen New Zealand authorities contacted him at the weekend to see if he'd been satellite tracking Blair and if he knew of his last location or communication.