Two climbers have tragically lost their lives after falling from New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook. The incident occurred during an attempt to summit the 3,724-meter-high mountain, renowned for its treacherous terrain. The climbers were part of a group of four, with the other two members escaping unharmed. The survivors were rescued by helicopter early Tuesday morning after alerting emergency services the previous night. Authorities later discovered the bodies of the deceased climbers, still connected by their climbing harness, in a challenging alpine environment. Efforts are ongoing to recover the bodies amidst the difficult conditions. Mount Cook, which dominates the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island, is notorious for its large crevasses and unpredictable weather, making it a perilous climb even for seasoned mountaineers. While the identities of the climbers have not been officially released, New Zealand media outlet Stuff reported that one of the victims was a well-known, internationally recognized mountain guide. This tragedy follows the disappearance of three climbers from the US and Canada nearly a year ago, who were declared dead after a prolonged search hampered by severe weather. According to ClimbNZ, the New Zealand alpine club, fatalities on Mount Cook are not uncommon, with hardly a climbing season passing without at least one death.