NZ ends search for missing Germans
January 4, 2015
Johann Viellehner, 58, and his 27-year-old son, Raphael Viellehner, from the southern German region of Upper Bavaria were last seen by a returning guide at 4 am local time on Monday (1500 GMT Sunday) with 53-year-old Australian doctor Michael Bishop.
The three men were reportedly roped together when they set off on their attempt to reach the summit of New Zealand's tallest mountain about 1:30 am local time (1230 GMT Sunday).
They were due back from the mountain, which is also known by its indigenous Maori name Aoraki, on Monday night but never showed up.
Police Senior Constable Brent Swanson said on Sunday that the men's families were upset that the search had been called off, but were aware of why the decision had been made after almost a week of unsuccessful searches.
Swanson said the weather on Monday had been clear and well-suited for climbing but that there are plenty of hazards on the 3,754-meter (12,388-feet) mountain, including avalanches, rock falls and crevasses.
He added that the men seemed to be well-equipped, although they didn't appear to be carrying emergency locator beacons and cell phone reception is poor on much of the mountain.
Police said they would reevaluate their search plans if they received any new information or news of sightings.
ksb/tj (AP, dpa)