Source: Radio New Zealand
Mountain guide Thomas Vialletet died on Aoraki Mt Cook. Supplied
The wife of a guide who died while climbing Aoraki Mt Cook says his death has left an ache in the hearts of those who knew him.
Wānaka-based guide Thomas Vialletet and American lawyer Kellam Conover were roped together climbing from Empress Hut to the summit when they died on Monday night.
Two other members of the climbing party who survived were flown from the mountain early on Tuesday morning, while the bodies of Vialletet and Conover were recovered later in the day.
Danielle Vialletet said her husband was a kind, steady and deeply genuine person whose love for the mountains was matched only by his devotion to his family.
“Thomas fell deeply in love with Aotearoa’s mountains and culture, carrying them alongside his strong French heritage. He brought the best of both worlds into his guiding: the warmth and humour of his French roots, and the deep respect he developed for the New Zealand backcountry.
“His high standards, professionalism and the craftsmanship of his French guiding style enriched the New Zealand guiding scene and left a mark on everyone who had the chance to work or climb with him.”
The couple owned mountain and ski guiding company Summit Explorers and have two young children.
Vialletet and the Summit Explorers team said he touched countless lives with his generosity, warmth and quiet strength.
A Givealittle page set up to support the family has raised more than $110,000 dollars.
Conover was a Stanford Law School graduate who lived in Washington DC and worked for international law firm King & Spalding.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
