Today the alpine community is mourning the loss of Russell Braddock, one of the country's most experienced and well-regarded mountaineers, after he died in an avalanche on Mont Blanc du Tacul on Monday.
Tributes are being posted online in disbelief that the climber had unexpectedly lost his life on the slopes so tragically.
Uilleam Lendrum posted: " Merde! It was smiles all round only a few days ago. Sympathy to family, AC [Adventure Consultants] and his climbing mates. One of NZ's best. Raise one for me Paul."
Details were starting to emerge how the popular European-based mountaineer was caught in a slab avalanche.
The Chaminox News said the avalanche may have been triggered close to the summit by gendarmes from the Chamonix PGHM performing routine training. It is believed they were also carried some distance down the north face of the mountain, but survived the ordeal.
The newspaper said a rescue helicopter reached the victim shortly after the avalanche but he could not be resuscitated.
Mr Braddock was described as an experienced mountaineer and a qualified high mountain guide who had lived in Chamonix for many years, working regularly with the Company des Guides.
It is understood Mr Braddock was due to come back to New Zealand in late August. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said consular staff at the New Zealand Embassy in Paris and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were providing advice to the family.
Tributes to climber
Friend Mark Pihema paid tribute to a man he called his mentor. Mr Pihema - who now owns an outdoor personal training company - worked alongside Mr Braddock at the then Army Adventurous Training Centre.
"Russell was a bit of a mentor for me. He helped to build up the reputation and the quality of the centre both for young soldiers coming through at the time and was basically a [mentor] for us learning how to look after people in the outdoors.
"He's a fantastic guy, a very gentle soul and a nice person - but also a really good teacher. I learned so much."
Another friend, Andrew Soebroto, wrote on Facebook yesterday: "Today we lost a friend, a hero and all round awesome human being in an avalanche in France.
"He lived his life truly doing what he loved and inspired and taught many of us to do the same. My thoughts are with you, Russboy - forever in the mountains."
The New Zealand Alpine Club released a statement this afternoon, acknowledging Mr Braddock's death. The group paid tribute to his achievements in the area over the years and his contribution to the local climbing community.
"Russell started climbing in 1975, at the age of 19. He was an important member of the New Zealand climbing community through the 1970s and 1980s. During his career, Russell climbed extensively throughout New Zealand's Southern Alps, pioneering many new routes.
"Some of Russell's notable first ascents were routes on: the west face of Mt Taranaki (1976), the south face of Mt Hicks (1983), the south face of Nazomi (1984), and the north-east face of Mt Aspiring (2003), as well as the Burton Spur on Mt Elie de Beaumont (1984).
"Russell began mountain guiding in 1984. He qualified as a full mountain and ski guide in 1987. Guiding led Russell to work and climb in South America, North America, Nepal and the European Alps. Two of Russell's most memorable and challenging climbs include an ascent of Cerro Torre and an ascent of Fitz Roy in Patagonia, Argentina."
The organisation said Mr Braddock also worked as a ski patroller and trained ski patrollers for the Mountain Education Centre of NZ from 2000 to 2009.
"In imparting his skills, experience and knowledge to a new generation of ski patrollers, Russell contributed to an increased level of safety within the New Zealand environment. Our thoughts and condolences are with Russel's family and friends at this time."
