Climbing Fatalities on Aoraki/Mount Cook

NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) and the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) are responding to the tragic death of two climbers on Aoraki/Mount Cook on Monday night (24 November 2025).

According to NZMGA, the two climbers – an IFMGA-qualified mountain guide and their client – died following a fall near the summit of Aoraki/Mount Cook at approximately 11.50 pm on Monday. The pair were part of a team of four, including two guides and their two clients, who were completing a grand traverse of Aoraki/Mount Cook. The other two members of the party were successfully brought down unharmed from the summit ridge.

MSC Chief Executive Mike Daisley says this time of year is the busy mountaineering season, with many climbers heading into the mountains.

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

NZMGA President Anna Keeling says the guide, who is yet to be formally named by NZ Police, was a respected and valued member of the NZMGA. 

“They were an integral part of our guiding community,” says Keeling. “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.”

In December 2024, three climbers, including two guides from the US and Canada, died while climbing Aoraki/Mt Cook. Their bodies were never recovered.

“These mountaineering fatalities are a reminder of thehigh-consequence environment of our alpine mountains, especially our highest peak,” says Daisley. “Mountaineering has very little margin for error. Even the most qualified professionals cannot eliminate all risk.”

NZMGA says a formal investigation into the incident will take place in due course.

“There will be an opportunity for the NZMGA to understand and share more about what happened in this tragic accident,” says Keeling.

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

PHOTO CREDIT | Nathan  Watson | Aoraki/Mount Cook