The body of a climber has been recovered from Homer Ridge after he fell yesterday morning.
The man was experienced and highly regarded mountain climber Athol Thomas Whimp, 50, police said.
He had fallen 800 metres from the ridge while making his descent, and his body came to rest approximately 150 metres above the Homer Tunnel entrance.
Whimp was from Rangiora, but had been living in Australia for over 20 years.
Police, Queenstown's Alpine Mountain Rescue team, and police search and rescue staff recovered the body yesterday afternoon.
