Three climbers are missing on New Zealand's Mount Aoraki, search operations delayed

Three mountaineers have gone missing while attempting to climb New Zealand's tallest peak Mount Aoraki, officials announced on Tuesday.

The American climbers, Kurt Blair, 56, from Colorado and Carlos Romero, 50, from California, hold certifications as alpine guides from the American Mountain Guides Association. New Zealand police withheld the Canadian climber's identity pending family notification.

The group took a flight to a mountain shelter on Saturday to start their climb. They were reported missing when they failed to meet their scheduled transport following the expedition on Monday. Later, police discovered several climbing items believed to be theirs during initial searches, but the climbers remained unlocated.

Search operations were suspended on Tuesday due to unfavourable weather conditions at Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook and will not resume till Thursday with forecasts predicting heavy precipitation.

Standing at 3,724 metres (12,218 feet), Aoraki forms part of the Southern Alps, a spectacular ice-covered mountain chain spanning New Zealand's South Island.

The summit attracts skilled climbers despite its challenging conditions, including crevasses, avalanche possibilities, unpredictable weather patterns and moving glaciers. Since 1900, the mountain and its surrounding national park have recorded over 240 fatalities.