Bid to identify Mt Cook climber's remains

Police are trying to identify the skeletal remains of a climber recovered yesterday from high on Mt Cook.

The remains are believed to be those of a climber who went missing in the late 1980s.

Climbers saw the remains several days ago but poor weather prevented their recovery by Department of Conservation staff until yesterday.

South Canterbury police district area commander Dave Gaskin said today the remains appeared to be of a male.

"We're pretty sure we know who it is, but we're not going to be releasing that until we've got it finally sorted out," he said.

The remains were found at the head of the Godley Glacier in an area below Sealy Pass -- a high-altitude pass running between the Whataroa River and the Godley River.

Mr Gaskin said the remains were being taken to Timaru for identification from clothing or dental records. A post mortem examination could not be held because of the condition of the skeleton.

"We will access the missing persons file and try to positively identify the body before notifying next of kin," he said.

More than 200 climbers have lost their lives on Mt Cook/Aorangi since 1914.

- NZPA