Adventurer who died ‘always was a free spirit’
Richard Ebbett, who died in Mt Ruapehu’s crater lake last week, was a well-liked adventurer.
His Facebook page is full of photos of people with motorcycles, bicycles and paddling gear in rugged places.
The 39-year-old from Taupo, was found by searchers near the top of Mt Ruapehu on Saturday morning.
The police say the indications are that he accidentally fell into the lake.
There are steep ice cliffs on the northern side of the lake, the side closest to the routes up to the summit area from Whakapapa skifield.
Ebbett had left home on Thursday to ski at Whakapapa on the northern side of the mountain. He was reported missing on Friday night. His car was in the skifield carpark, but he could not be located.
Bad weather ruled out an immediate search of the mountain, but on Saturday morning, after ground teams and helicopters got to work, his body was quickly discovered, in the lake. Family members took part in the search.
The police said he was found in an area where many people go for a view of the lake.
Ebbett’s sister Loren wrote a moving tribute on Facebook to her “beautiful, adventurous and loving brother Richard.”
“I love you and miss you so much, and always will. To know you went while doing something you loved, exploring, will in time bring some peace. You always were a free spirit.”
“Seeing all the posts on FB only confirms how much of an impression you left on people, definitely one of the best.”
“Thank you to all the friends and family that came to the mountain yesterday, your love and support blew us away. Thank you so much to Conrad [Smith, of the National Park police] and the search and rescue teams, and although it wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for, thank you for bringing my brother back to us.”
In a post on the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation Facebook page, one searcher said: “Well some days just suck and we don’t always have the happy endings we all hope for. Absolutely gutted but happy to bring a son home to his family.
“Ngati Rangi said a karakia as he leaves the mountain in a hearse surrounded by family, friends and the RARO team.
“I have been involved in a lot of rescues now and unfortunately a few recoveries as well and never have I been prouder to be involved in such a professional organisation.”
The Taranaki Motorcycle Club posted saying Ebbett would be sadly missed by many.
Ebbett owned Moto SR, a motorcycle suspension business in Taupo.
I love you and miss you so much, and always will. To know you went while doing something you loved, exploring, will in time bring some peace. Loren, Richard Ebbett’s sister