KEY POINTS:
Another death on Mt Philistine, in Arthur's Pass National Park, has prompted warnings about the treacherous peak.
The body of experienced climber Noel Clyde Oien, 38, manager of the Arthur's Pass Outdoor Education Centre, was found yesterday during a police helicopter search. He had fallen 200m to his death from infamous bluffs on the climb.
Mr Oien, who was training to be a guiding instructor, was reported missing yesterday after going climbing on Thursday.
His death comes only three months after Auckland outdoor recreation instructor Steffen Poepjes survived a 180m fall over two bluffs.
Search and rescue team member Graeme Kates told The Press Mr Oien appeared to have fallen from about the same place as Mr Poepjes, "but he didn't have the advantage of snow to break his fall".
In 2002, Christchurch engineer Antonius Arnoldus Petrus de Groot, 54, died after falling from the same spot.
Trampers said the bluffs, about halfway up the 1967m mountain, had a well-earned reputation as being dangerous.
Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand president Rob Mitchell yesterday described Mr Oien's death as a tragedy, saying the mountain was "easy to underestimate".
"Philistine can be very straightforward in summer. At other times, depending on the conditions, it can be very tricky, no matter what your experience is," he said.
Christchurch tramper Pat Barrett said the bluffs about halfway up Mount Philistine were well-known as a danger spot.
"You have to take care. It is exposed and the bluffs have always been known as a tricky point, the crux of that climb.
"There's a standard route on it. You don't need a rope, you free climb it. But if there was snow on the route, I'd think twice about descending it. It could be quite dangerous."
Meanwhile, the close-knit small community of Arthur's Pass was reeling from news of the death of Mr Oien, who had lived there for the past two years.
"He obviously died doing what he loved," said resident Gerald Bruce-Smith.
"It would be no secret that he loved tramping, he loved climbing and mountaineering and enjoyed getting out in the hills."
Friend and former Department of Conservation field centre supervisor for the village, Wayne Costello, said Mr Oien was "an awesome community person" who got stuck in and helped to bond the community.
"He was a valued member of the community and was so keen to let people explore the nature that he loved."
Mr Oien's former wife, Sally Bodkin, was too upset to speak. They have two sons, 13 and 10, and an eight-year-old daughter.
Arthur's Pass Community Constable Scott Carmody said Mr Oien appeared to have died as a result of injuries from the fall.
The matter has been referred to the coroner.
- NZPA
