Friends and family of mountain guide Will MacQueen, who was killed this week on Fox Glacier, were gathering in Wanaka today to pay tribute at his funeral.
A large crowd was expected this afternoon at the recently built Wanaka Community Centre in the lakeside town, family friend Grant Gillespie told NZPA.
"Willhad such a wide circle of friends in both the North and South Islands, so we needed a big venue. A number of his friends and family will speak."
Many outdoor centres, heliski and guiding companies were closed today to honour their friend, Mr Gillespie said.
Mr MacQueen, 38, had passed on his mountain and outdoor skills to many young people over the years and some of those students were also expected at the service.
His body was taken to Wanaka yesterday and there had been a small gathering last night at the home he had shared with his wife, Wanaka school teacher Ellen Sagmyr, Mr Gillespie said.
The service today was to be followed by a cremation in Dunedin. Mr Gillespie was unsure if there were any plans to scatter Mr MacQueen's ashes.
Mr MacQueen died on Tuesday when a snowbridge collapsed underneath him, sending him 60m into a crevasse. He was killed instantly.
The 60-year-old English client he was guiding recrossed the glacier alone to Pioneer Hutt to raise the alarm.
Mr MacQueen was born and educated in Blenheim. Friends have described him as one of New Zealand's more experienced guides, who was a safety conscious and solid operator.
