KEY POINTS:
Police have released the name of a Wellington climber whose body was recovered yesterday from a steep ravine near Mt Cook-Aoraki.
Murray Francis Vincent, 61, set off on a climb in the area on New Year's Eve and was due back on Saturday, police said.
Another climber saw what he thought was a body below the Barron Saddle at the head of the Mueller Glacier early yesterday and alerted authorities after he'd climbed down to check.
Constable Carl Pedersen, of Twizel police, said police were confident the body was that of Mr Vincent, although he hadn't yet been formally identified.
A post mortem examination was being done in Christchurch today.
Mr Pedersen said police had informed Mr Vincent's partner who was also a mountain climber.
Mr Vincent had lodged his intended route with the Department of Conservation.
"He was found on the route nominated in his intentions, so there was nothing untoward, except that he's had a fall," Mr Pedersen said.
"Whether or not he's had a medical issue and fallen, or had a fall through natural causes, the post mortem might shed some light on that."
Police would compile a report for a coroner's inquest.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said a 33-year-old Wellington man spotted Mr Vincent's body while on a tramp from Barron Saddle to Dobson Valley in the Ben Ohau Range.
About 8am he saw what looked like a body in the ravine, so climbed down to check.
He activated his personal locator beacon to alert help.
Wanaka alpine guide and search and rescue member Gary Dickson, who flew to the site with Aspiring Helicopters pilot Alex Ewing, said the terrain was suitable for an advanced tramper, the Otago Daily Times reported.
"It was a very tricky area to fly to ...the dead climber was about a third of the way down a snow and rock-covered face."
No tracks were visible.
"It was just one of those tragic accidents," Mr Dickson said.
- NZPA
