A Canterbury man has died in a climbing accident on Aoraki Mount Cook.
Police confirmed this afternoon they are leading a recovery operation to retrieve the body of the man, who was reported to have fallen on the north side of the east ridge of Aoraki Mt Cook this morning.
No details of the deceased will be released until next of kin have been informed.
The death has been referred to the Coroner, and a police investigation has commenced.
Four experienced climbers from the Canterbury region are understood to have set out from Plateau Hut early this morning climb the east ridge of Aoraki Mt Cook.
They left details of their trip with friends and the visitors centre at Mt Cook village and are reported to have been fully equipped for the conditions.
The three uninjured members of the climbing party have returned to Plateau Hut to be picked up by a Heli Line Helicopter.
"This is a tragic start to the climbing season and our thoughts go out to the friends and family of the climber and the other members of his climbing party," said Canterbury Rural Area Commander (Mid South), Inspector Dave Gaskin.
"The group of climbers were very experienced and were well prepared and had planned their trip in advance. Unfortunately very rare incidents such as this occur from time to time."
