Kurt Blair is one of the climbers missing. Photo: Facebook / Silverton Avalanche School
Climbing gear believed to belong to the three men missing on Aoraki Mount Cook has been found.
The climbers, attempting to reach the mountain summit, were reported missing after they didn't meet their prearranged transport on Monday morning.
They have been named as 56-year-old Kurt Blair, 50-year-old Carlos Romero from the United States, and a Canadian national.
The search for the men is on hold until at least Thursday because of the weather.
MetService has forecast rain and snow to 3200 metres in the national park on Tuesday.
A helicopter and search and rescue teams were unable to find the group on Monday afternoon before bad weather halted the search.
Police say during that search, several-climbing related items were found, which are believed to belong to the three men.
"Police have been working with the US and Canadian embassies to inform and support the families of the three men.
"Further information regarding the third man will not be provided until we can be sure that all necessary family notifications have been carried out."
In a post on Facebook, Silverton Avalanche School, based in Colorado, says it "received notification from NZ authorities that the climbers appear to have taken a fatal fall from high upon the peak".
"Gear and equipment found from the party has helped SAR piece together the tragedy although remote, technical and heavily glaciated terrain coupled with deteriorating weather has prevented a recovery of the climbers," it said.
File photo of Empress Hut.Three climbers are missing on Aoraki Mount Cook. Photo: Supplied / Canterbury Mountaineering Club
"Kurt was a beloved fixture of the San Juan mountains who comes from a proud lineage of mountain adventurers.
"Anyone who shared time with Kurt in the mountains knows that his calm demeanor and positive presence ran counter to the rough edges and sharp tongues so often exemplified by the hard scrabble ranks of mountain guides. He was the nicest guy you'd ever share a rope or trail or skin track with, and his humility, competence and polite nature made him a client and student favorite."
Veteran mountaineer Chris Prudden said storms coming off the Tasman Sea could create dangers.
"That weather moves up and can hang on the main divide area and provide a lot of hazard, its not unusual for people to be caught out," he said.
Police said the search would resume when conditions allowed.
New Zealand Mountain Safety Council said good conditions were reported on Aoraki Mt Cook before the three climbers went missing, in statement to RNZ.
"Generally speaking, summit attempts on Aoraki/Mt Cook begin during the middle of the night to make the most of the overnight freeze, for easier and safer climbing," MSC chief executive Mike Daisley said.
The NZ Avalanche Advisory also reported a low avalanche danger rating on Sunday, stating "time your day to make the most of good travel conditions early in the morning, before the heat of the day kicks in".
Daisley acknowledged the challanges Aoraki Mount Cook poses, and said it is reserved for advanced mountaineers.
"Climbing on the Main Divide and New Zealand's 3000m peaks is a serious undertaking, with common hazards including avalanches, glacier crossings, rock falls, icy surface conditions and dynamic weather," he said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
