The mountain guide killed while attempting to summit Aoraki/Mount Cook has been described by fellow mountaineers as a talented and “inspirational” climber.
Thomas Vialletet and a client from the United States died when they fell from a ridge onto the west side of the mountain around 10.45pm on Monday.
Their bodies were found the next morning and recovered in the early afternoon.
They were part of a group of four who had been attempting to summit the mountain.
Vialletet’s death has rocked the New Zealand mountaineering community, with those who knew him describing him as a skilled climber.
‘Special’ mountain guide summited peak just weeks before fatal fall – Watch on TVNZ+
Axel Reiser, general manager of Alpine Recreation, an organisation that used to employ Vialletet, called him a “good friend”.
“Thomas wasn’t just a good climber, but also a talented photographer and skier.”
NZ Mountain Guides Association President Anna Keeling told Breakfast the guide killed was a “valued” member of the community and a “very high-level mountain guide”. (Source: 1News)
“Thomas was so special, he had an ability to inspire other people, and take them along with him on the journey.
“He brought a lot of joy to those who he took up the mountain, and he taught me everything I know about ski guiding. It is such a loss.”
Tim Steward, managing director of Wanaka Mountain Guides, said his team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Vialletet and his guest.
“Since arriving in Wānaka, Thomas quickly became an influential and respected member of the New Zealand mountain guiding community.
“His extensive international experience, exceptional technical abilities, and vibrant, energetic personality made him a truly popular and highly-regarded guide.”
Steward said the New Zealand mountain guiding community was small and rallying around his family and the other guide and guest involved in the incident.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
On Breakfast this morning, NZ Mountain Guides Association president Anna Keeling said Vialletet was a “valued” member of the community and a “very high-level mountain guide”. She said he leaves behind a family.
“It’s a really raw situation right now… We’re taking it hard, for sure.”
Vialletet was the owner of Summit Explorers NZ – a mountain guiding company.
The website said he grew up in the French Alps, which he climbed, skied and explored for more than two decades.
According to the website, with a diploma in sport management, “his quest for mountain adventures brought him to New Zealand, and he immediately fell in love with the wilderness of this country”.
He became a climbing instructor before becoming a mountain and ski guide.
“One of his most favourite places for skiing is the Freeride Mecca of La Grave where he spent almost a decade ski-guiding every winter,” the website said.
He was also part of the French National Young Alpinism Team between 2009 and 2012.
“Sharing his passion is now becoming Thomas’s guiding legacy.”
Police were notified of the unfolding incident at around 11.20pm on Monday. Two helicopters were dispatched, with one picking up the surviving climbers – another guide and client – at around 2.15am. Both helicopters searched for the missing climbers through the night.
Police said the men’s bodies were being returned to their families. Police were working with the US Consulate, and the matter was with the coroner.
