New Zealand media reported that the remains of a climber who went missing 42 years ago have recently been discovered near a glacier.
According to Xinhua News Agency, on September 16, 1973, the 19-year-old youth disappeared after an avalanche at the foot of the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, and his body may have been “encased in ice.” At the time, rescuers only found his backpack and the remains of an elderly companion in over nine meters of snow. More than 40 years later, guide Gavin Lang and another climber recently found a body near the glacier, which may be that of the missing young man.
Gavin Lang said he first spotted some “mesh material” attached to an old tent frame, a pair of gloves, and socks, before discovering the remains. Local police believe the skin was leather-like, and boots were nearby. Perhaps this year’s lower-than-usual snowfall and higher temperatures helped bring the climber’s remains to light.
The report stated that since 1907, the remains of at least 62 climbers who went missing in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park have still not been found.