'Some closure' as search for climbers ends

The news that US park rangers have called off the search for missing New Zealand climber Karen McNeill and her American climbing companion, Sue Nott, has brought "some closure" for family and friends.

Ms McNeill, 36, who had been living in Canada for several years, and her friend from Colorado, had set off for a 10-day climb up Mount Foraker in Alaska's Denali National Park on May 14. The search, which began on June 1, was called off on Monday.

Wanaka climber Pat Deavoll, who had been friends with Ms McNeill for 18 years, said she believed the US authorities had done their best in "atrocious" weather conditions.

"It's incredibly sad of course, but in a way it's actually a relief for the family that it's over, and they can accept the fact that she's gone and move on."

She said she had spoken to Ms McNeill's family in Canada yesterday and they were deeply devastated. "But now a decision has been made, they have some closure."

Ms McNeill's parents, who live in Tauranga, and her sister, Wendy, arrived in Canmore, Canada, to be with Karen McNeill's Canadian partner, Brad Bennett. A memorial service will be held in Canmore today.

The former Christchurch woman, a guide with the Chicks with Picks group - which includes some of the world's best climbers - has scaled peaks in Greenland, China, India, Peru and New Zealand.

- NZPA