The search for three missing hikers in New Zealand's Mount Cook has been called off, saddening the families of the adventurers, Fox News reported on Monday.

The climbers are now presumed dead after days of aerial searches over the area did not come produce clues as to where the men could be. Michael Bishops, 53, of Australia, Yohann Viellehner, 58 and his son Raphael, 27, of Germany, were last seen on Monday in the early morning hours.

The team was connected by rope when they left for the mountain, according to police. Rescue crews started looking for them after they didn't come back to their hut.

Families are upset the search has ended, but do understand why rescue crews decided to call off the mission.

"The search team are obviously disappointed with the result and our thoughts are with the families in Australia and Germany," Police spokesman Brent Swanson, according to the BBC.

If any sightings or new information is reported, the search will start back up, authorities said.

The mountain has claimed 230 lives since it was first ascended in 1894.