Two drone operators have been brought in as the search for three missing climbers on Aoraki Mount Cook resumes, but the clear weather window is already closing.
The search for Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, from the United States and a Canadian national was launched on Monday morning after the trio were reported overdue.
They planned to summit the 3724m peak via Zurbriggen Ridge, having flown into Plateau Hut at 3.30pm on Saturday. The alarm was raised when they failed to meet their 8.30am flight out on Monday.
The operation had been on hold since Monday evening due to the weather, but "several climbing-related items" believed to belong to the men were found before the search was called off.
Weather has hampered search efforts for several days but conditions at the mountain were calm and clear this morning.
Kurt Blair, 56, is among the three missing climbers. (Source: Supplied)
Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker said at a media briefing in Timaru that a helicopter was deployed during a "welcome break" in the weather to search for the men.
"The purpose of the helicopter deployment has been to take up two drone pilots. The intention is to now create a staging area for them to operate a drone as part of the search.
Walker said the window of opportunity to survey the area of interest was small.
"Our teams will assess any new information we are able to gather from the mountain."
The search for three men at Aoraki Mount Cook restarted this morning - but police said the forecast isn't promising. (Source: 1News)
The weather has presented searchers with a "frustrating situation", she added.
"Even if it was safe to put searchers on the ground, it would take a day to reach Plateau Hut and another day to summit the peak and return to the hut."
Walker said police were thinking of the men's families in the United States and Canada during this "deeply distressing time".
One of the climbers missing on Aoraki Mount Cook was an "accomplished" professional climber who taught others in the industry about snow and mountain safety, a colleague has said.
New Zealand
Wednesday 3:57pm
1:57
Police said the search team would continue to assess the weather conditions, saying it "remains unlikely searching will be able to continue before tomorrow".
New Zealand
Wednesday 12:12pm
Searching has been unable to resume today, but items found yesterday are believed to belong to the three missing men, who are from the US and Canada.
New Zealand
Tue, Dec 3
2:35
She said they were "understandably distraught and desperate for answers".
"I would like to acknowledge all of the teams and specialists who are putting their heart and soul into this rescue operation."
