Friends of dead climber mourn 'a gentle soul'

By MONIQUE DEVEREUX

One of the climbers killed on Mt Aspiring on Tuesday has been described as a "gentle soul", who loved the environment.

Gavin Cederman, of Motupipi in Golden Bay, died when he and two fellow climbers slipped on ice on the northwest ridge of the mountain.

Barrie Stuart Arthur, 31, of Franz Josef, was also killed in the fall.

The third man, Chris Moore, survived. He is in a serious condition in the intensive care unit at Dunedin Hospital with fractures to his arms, legs and pelvis.

The three men were roped together when the accident happened on an area known as The Ramp, a steep slope that leads from the Bonar Glacier up the northwest ridge, regarded as the easiest route up and down the 3027m mountain.

Mr Moore lay unconscious for almost eight hours before making his way back to the Colin Todd Hut.

He was spotted by an Adventure Consultants guide who is climbing the area with clients and is not due out until Sunday.

The guide radioed the Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue Team for help.

Mr Cederman, who would have turned 50 this year, was a designer and builder. He was actively involved in the Earth Building Association, which promotes "the art and science of earth building".

Friends who also live in Motupipi heard of his death yesterday afternoon. One woman, who did not want to be named and was too upset to talk, described Mr Cederman as "a gentle soul".

Earth Building Association treasurer Peter Olorenshaw said Mr Cederman was involved in a lot of "interesting and innovative alternative building ".

It included designing and building a yurt - a circular structure with walls sloping outwards and framing that is on a diagonal - for a spiritual yoga centre in Golden Bay.

Its construction involves "nothing vertical and nothing horizontal", Mr Olorenshaw said.

Police were still waiting to speak to Mr Moore last night.

The sole survivor told his rescuers that he had slipped and taken the other two climbers with him. It is believed they fell about 100m.

* An Australian climber had to be rescued from Mt Aspiring yesterday after breaking his leg.

The 29-year-old injured climber was flown by helicopter to Queenstown for treatment at the Lakes District Hospital. He was later transferred to Southland Hospital.

- additional reporting, NZPA