Mates had the mountains in their blood

By REBECCA WALSH

Next week, in between guiding trips, Paul Scaife had planned to finish off the 12 peaks left on a sponsored climb of 50 peaks in the Southern Alps.

In a couple of months it would be back to the lecture halls of Otago University for the veteran mountaineer to complete the science degree in geology he was two-thirds of the way through.

At 51, the father of two had planned to become a secondary school teacher - during the school holidays he could keep guiding climbers up the mountains he loved.

But the Wanaka man - "Scaifey" to his friends, the one with the infectious enthusiasm, who always encouraged others on and adored his two sons - will never get the chance.

He and three others, including fellow New Zealand mountain guide Dave Hiddleston, 34, were killed when an avalanche raced down Mt Tasman, throwing them nearly 500m over cliffs of snow and ice.

Also killed were Australian climber Andrew Platts, 31, a doctor from Perth, and Tasmanian guide David Gardner, 40, one of Australia's most experienced mountaineers.

Wellington investment banker Mark Dossor, 35, survived the avalanche and is recovering well in Christchurch Hospital. Californian Gabriel Amandor, 42 remains in a critical condition with head injuries.

It was day three of a six-day trip on New Zealand's second-highest mountain. After rising in the darkness of Wednesday morning, the climbers were making their ascent of the north shoulder of the 3497m mountain when the snow beneath them began to crack.

There was no warning.

For their families and friends the loss is enormous.

As Mr Hiddleston's parents, John and Patsy, prepared to make the long drive south where they will join Anna Gillooly, their son's partner, who has been working on a ski patrol in Canada, they remembered a man who was "a delight to be with".

"He was a very caring son, not an intellectual but he would be the first to admit that. He had incredible leadership qualities and he was always very encouraging," Mr Hiddleston says.

"We were very proud of him and very understanding of his need to do what he loved doing."

For many the pull of the mountains is strong.

Guy Cotter, director of Wanaka-based Adventure Consultants and friend of both men, says mountaineers tend to be people who want to get as much out of life as possible, who challenge themselves.

"Often they are people who are quite happy to do things alone, are self-motivated and have a degree of self-confidence. Not the stereotype climber you often see on some TV shows that show it's the summit or bust. The mountains make you reflect on who you are and what your motivations are."

Mr Scaife and Mr Hiddleston were directors of Aspiring Mountain Guides, based in Wanaka. Mountaineering was a passion they built their lives around.

Mr Scaife grew up "running around the mountains" on a farming station in Wanaka while Mr Hiddleston, introduced to skiing at 2 1/2, climbed Mt Everest in 2002, six months after knee surgery.

"I remember getting a call from Dave on his satellite phone from the summit. He said, 'Dad, I've made it'. We talked for about 30 seconds. He was in great heart. I will never forget that," Mr Hiddleston says.

For fellow guide Mark Sedon, Mr Hiddleston was a great friend and mentor. He remembers a strong, capable man who never sat still for long, who braved the chill of winter to kitesurf at Lake Hawea and who packed as much into life as he could.

Known as "Hip" to his mates "because he was just a pretty cool character", his death has jolted Mr Sedon into thinking about what he does and whether he should "just get an office job". He is not making any decisions yet.

Long-time friend Martin Hawes remembers one climb of Mt Aspiring. Waking at 2am to driving rain, most of the climbers opted to stay in their tents and sleep but Mr Scaife got up and 18 hours later returned from the summit.

Separate memorial services for Mr Scaife and Mr Hiddleston will be held in Wanaka on Tuesday.