Experienced climber dies in freak fall on Ben Nevis
AN ‘experienced and confident’ climber has died on Ben Nevis in a freak accident which his family says could not have been prevented.
Rob Brown, 33, who ran a tour guiding business, fell from Zero Gully – a notoriously tricky route up Britain’s highest mountain.
Paying tribute, his father Martin Brown said: ‘This is so hard – I am so proud of my wonderful son.’
Originally from Cambridge, Mr Brown lived in Fort William, in the Highlands, from where he ran his business, Omega Guiding.
His body and belongings were retrieved from the mountain by members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.
The climber’s family said they believed his death, which happened on Friday, was ‘quick and painless’. In a statement on Mr Brown’s Facebook page, they said: ‘Anyone that knows Rob knows he is experienced, calm, confident and not a risk-taker on the hill and Friday was no different.
‘It was a beautiful day and he was excited to enjoy it in the mountains, as he always loved doing with his free time. It was a tragic accident that couldn’t have been prevented... He left us whilst having a great day out and was happy and content with his life.’
Friends also paid tribute, describing Mr Brown as ‘much loved’. Another called him ‘an amazing man, a true gentleman’.
Police Scotland said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
■ Hikers attempting treacherous routes up Mont Blanc have been ordered to pre-pay for their own funeral. Local mayor Jean-Marc Peillez said: ‘If these people want to climb with death in their backpack, then so be it!’ He wants hikers to make a down payment of £12,600 to cover the average cost of a mountain rescue and burial.
‘He wasn’t a risk-taker’