Climber in news weeks before fall
One of pair who died in peak tragedy spoke of exciting future
Ayoung rock climber, whose body was found tied to that of his climbing companion at the bottom of a Fiordland cliff, had spoken out only weeks ago of his love for climbing.
Conor Smith, 22, forged a name for himself in the rock climbing world following his selection in 2015 to the New Zealand Alpine team.
His body was found still roped to that of climbing companion Sarwan Chand, 27, also a member of the New Zealand team, on Tuesday after the pair fell down the south face of Marian Peak in the Darran Mountains.
Smith spoke to the Greymouth Star only two weeks ago having just returned from four weeks’ climbing in Canada.
He spoke then about how his inclusion in the NZ team had set him up for “an amazing lifestyle” which took him rock climbing around the world.
“For me, climbing is a really personal thing. I’m not really interested in guiding or teaching other people at this stage. It’s something I do for me and I want to push myself mentally and physically.”
Smith said he was not so much drawn to the challenge of Mount Everest or other big mountains, but wanted to be the first to explore unclimbed peaks.
“I want to head overseas to remote places no one else has ever been and push my own physical and mental limits,” he said.
Smith and Chand had been over- due for 24 hours from a climbing expedition at Marian Peak when they were reported missing on Monday afternoon.
A Southland police search and rescue team recovered their bodies on Tuesday.
Sergeant Tod Hollebon, of Te Anau police, said the pair had clearly suffered a fall.
The New Zealand Alpine Team acknowledged the deaths “with great sadness”.
“While details of the accident are not yet fully known, we believe that while climbing, the leader fell before being able to place gear after the belay. This resulted in a . . . fall, pulling the team off the wall.”
Smith and Chand joined the national team in late 2015.
“They were both well liked and respected members of the team. They were experienced and competent mountaineers with many successful ascents in New Zealand and overseas.
“To lose two of our friends and teammates together in this way is devastating for us. Our thoughts are with their family and friends.”
Tai Poutini Polytechnic said Smith was a “vibrant and engaging” graduate of its 2014 outdoor education course, and his drive to succeed had set him apart from his peers.
He was awarded the Cave Creek Student Excellence Award while at the polytechnic.
Outdoor education programme head Dave Ritchie said Smith was a special person to everyone who knew him.
“Conor was a vibrant and engaging student with a wry sense of humour and a humble approach — a rare and beautiful combination in a young man. His strong internal motivation to excel at everything he attempted . . . was an example to all around him.”
Tutor Paula Roberts recalled his ambitions for climbing, which were set to take him all over the world.
“He was super-determined and was always hungry to learn new things. He always reminded me that it’s the top 3 per cent that counts — I have so many great memories of climbing adventures with Conor,” Roberts said.
West Coast Alpine Club president Jason Blair mourned the loss of both men.
“Sarwan was a member of the West Coast Alpine Club, as was Conor before he left Greymouth,” Blair said.