The death of Deeside climber who plunged 600ft from a ridge near Britain’s highest peak has been described as “tragic” by his local community.
The 51-year-old, from the Aboyne area, slipped and fell about 650ft while attempting the Carn Mor Dearg Arete, a peak adjoining Ben Nevis.
The two other walkers he was with raised the alarm with the emergency services shortly after 10am on Friday.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue team was scrambled to the scene, along with the Inverness-based Rescue 951 helicopter.
The walker, who has not yet been named, was airlifted to Belford Hospital in Fort William but could not be saved.
His family have been notified, but it is understood a formal identification still needs to take place.
Last night local councillor Peter Argyle said his thoughts were with the man’s loved ones.
He said: “As a very keen hillwalker myself, I’m very conscious myself that while the hills and mountains are very magical and attractive, they are dangerous places and accidents happen.
“It’s really tragic that someone has lost their life in these circumstances, and my heart goes out to his family and friends.”
Mountaineering expert Alan Crichton, said he was sorry to hear of the death of a north-east climber and that the route he had been on was challenging.
He said: “It’s hands out of your pockets stuff.
“It’s quite narrow in places, but experienced, competent climbers who have done a bit of scrambling should be able to cope with it.
“It’s sad news.”
After Friday’s rescue, Lochaber mountain rescue team’s deputy leader Donald Paterson said it was a “tragic” accident.
He said: “Four of our members went up, assisted by Rescue 951, to recover the body of a 51-year-old male who had sadly fallen about 656ft off the Carn Mor Dearg Arete.
“Tragically, it was just one of those trips and falls, and the fall was 200 metres down a rock face, unfortunately. It was steep, loose ground.”
He said more than 3,000 people would have walked the same route as the victim already this year, and that he had sadly been the “unlucky one”.