Police searching New Zealand’s highest peak have confirmed that one of three men missing after attempting to summit Aoraki Mount Cook is Livermore climber/guide Carlos “Kique” Romero.
New Zealand police announced the climbers’ disappearance on Monday – after the trio failed to make a return flight and an initial search proved unsuccessful.
“The climbers were due to complete their climb at 8.30am today but did not meet their prearranged transport. A missing persons report was made to Police at 12.45pm today,” Monday’s statement reads.
Aoraki Police Cmdr. Vicki Walker identified two climbers, the 50-year-old Romero and 56-year-old Kurt Blair. The third man was only identified as a Canadian national whose name withheld by authorities.
Romero, known among the mountaineering community as “Kique,” works for Mount Shasta-based SWS Mountain Guide – which wrote about his disappearance in a Facebook post following notice he was among those missing. Colleagues noted the deteriorating weather conditions on Aoraki and called the search for the missing party “grim.”
The post praises Romero as a “beloved guide, educator, and mentor” and “an integral part” of the company.
Police wrote that several-climbing related items believed to belong to the three men were located during the initial search, but that weather conditions on the mountain made further efforts difficult.
I’ve seen a video of the last half kilometer or so to that peak, and it looks terrifyingly steep in good weather. In a storm, I can’t imagine. Yet somehow the pioneers managed to summit in leather boots with primitive aids.
Monday there was Sunday here. Grim is the right word. Let’s hope they didn’t suffer too long.
What a a strange blend of non sequitur and pessimism.