The partner of the man found dead in the Ben Ohau range near Mt Cook-Aoraki says she is pleased he died doing something he loved.
The body of 61-year-old Murray Francis Vincent was found on Sunday by another tramper, who alerted authorities.
Mr Vincent had set off on
the climb on New Year's Eve and was due back on Saturday.
His partner Diana Ranger told 3 News she was not surprised to see police turn up on her doorstep with news they had found her partner's body, as she had felt forewarned.
"When we parted at Nelson airport on the 29th [of December] ... I can remember his face and thinking 'he's not coming back'."
The couple had been together for 20 years, but lived separately.
Ms Ranger said she was consoled to know his death would have been quick.
"There's a comfort that he died doing something he loved, and he didn't suffer."
Mr Vincent was a safe climber who did not take risks, she said.
"I rather suspect it was weather conditions or something."
Tomorrow she will fly to Christchurch to formally identify his body.
Provisional findings from an autopsy carried out yesterday showed he died from impact injuries from a fall.
Police say Mr Vincent had filed the route he intended to travel with the Department of Conservation and gave two options for where he would finish his climb.
- NZPA
