Swedish climber falls to death on New Zealand peak


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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - A Swedish man who was climbing and skiing on New Zealand's tallest mountain has fallen to his death.

Police say 32-year-old Magnus Kastengren fell about 600 meters (2,000 feet) Sunday while he and climbing partner Andreas Fransson were ski traversing near the lower summit of Mount Cook.

The mountain is also known by its indigenous Maori name, Aoraki.

Police say Fransson was not injured and has now left the country bound for Sweden.

Police say the pair were experienced climbers and conditions were good at the time of the accident. However, the area is not recognized as being suitable for skiing and what the men were attempting is considered by experts to be extreme.

The accident comes a week after a Japanese and a New Zealand climber died on Mount Taranaki.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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