The body of Alexandra man Matthew John Laing (23) was recovered by LandSAR Wanaka volunteers at about 6.45pm yesterday in the West Matukituki Valley after he was reported overdue from a solo hunting trip.
Mr Laing appeared to have fallen while hunting chamois on precipitous mountain faces above the Rob Roy Valley.
He had left his intentions with family members before setting out on Friday, telling them he would be back late Sunday afternoon.
After the alarm was raised late on Sunday evening, Wanaka Police and LandSAR volunteers spent three hours during the night searching from a night-equipped helicopter, using night vision equipment.
Wanaka police and fresh teams made up of 15 LandSAR volunteers then spent all day yesterday scouring difficult and mountainous terrain in the Rob Roy area of the West Matukituki Valley with assistance from Aspiring Helicopters pilots. The teams included specialist search management, tracking and Alpine Cliff Rescue (ACR) personnel.
Mr Laing is the only son of well-known orchardists Russell and Pam Laing, formerly of Earnscleugh but now living in Clyde. He was an experienced hunter and is believed to have spent time in the New Zealand Army.
Wanaka police SAR co-ordinator Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said Mr Laing had gone into the area above the popular Rob Roy Glacier track on Friday, in the steep terrain high above the tourist route.
Mr Laing's death is the latest in a string of tragic accidents in the Upper Clutha. Fifteen-year-old Nenthorn Valley boy Dion Latta died in hospital following a dramatic rescue from a waterfall in the Motatapu Gorge, near Wanaka, on January 2. The body of Wellington tramper Michael Gillard Taylor (60), who died in a fall on December 31, was found by LandSAR volunteers in a steep rocky section on the northern aspect of Mt Twilight, in the Mt Aspiring National Park on January 1.
"It's been a terrible week we've had," LandSar Wanaka volunteer Phil Melchior said.
"This is our fifth operation in nine days and three of them have ended up in fatalities. From a LandSAR point of view we're obviously delighted that we've managed to get a result, but we're deeply sympathetic to the families."
Mr Melchior also described the terrain covered yesterday as "very difficult", but said the search operation involved "very experienced people who were able to move safely in the environment and we had the help of experienced helicopter pilots, as well".
Senior Constable Mike Johnston said Mr Laing's body would be transported from the Wanaka police station to Dunedin late last night for an autopsy. The death had been referred to the coroner.
