KEY POINTS:
The Mountain Safety Council says the death of a climber in Mt Aspiring National Park should serve as a reminder for constant vigilance when in the mountains.
Father-of-two Alan Leslie Beck, 49, of Melbourne, died after apparently falling 100m while on a climbing trip on the Bonar Glacier, near Queenstown.
He disappeared on Sunday morning after waiting, with three others, for bad weather to clear for two days.
He went to stretch his legs and scout a route down the mountain, but didn't return.
His body was found yesterday within 500m of where the tent had been pitched.
Council alpine programme manager Paul Chaplow said alpine environments presented numerous hazards such as crevasses, steep ground, cold temperatures and the potential to become lost.
"Most mountainous areas are difficult to navigate and the hazards become more acute as weather conditions worsen," Mr Chaplow said.
Anyone heading into alpine environment needed to be prepared to sit out bad weather conditions, and take extra food, a communications device such as mountain radio or personal locator beacon, and other equipment appropriate to the terrain and conditions.
"The best decision is nearly always to stay put, set up camp and wait until the weather improves.
"If travelling anything more than a few minutes' walk from a tent, climbers should always take their pack, emergency shelter, food and water," Mr Chaplow said.
- NZPA
