Boat of Garten mountaineering pioneer killed on Ben Hope
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A highly experienced Boat of Garten climber who died in an accident on Scotland's most northerly Munro helped to establish 1,000 winter walking routes.
The bodies of Andy Nisbet and Steve Perry were recovered from Ben Hope in Sutherland yesterday afternoon.
The climbing community has paid tribute to both men.
Mr Nisbet, 65, was born in Aberdeen but had live in Boat of Garten for many years. His mountaineering and guiding took him across the globe.
Mr Nisbet has been described as a climbing "pioneer".
The former Glenmore Lodge instructor had climbed some of the world's highest and most challenging peaks.
His honours highlighted in a UK Climbing blog include being a former Scottish Mountaineering Club president and receiving the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture in 2014.
His expertise led to him authoring and editing guidebooks, as well as having a career in climbing instruction and guiding.
Shaun Roberts, principal for sportscotland's national outdoor centre Glenmore Lodge, said “Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Andy Nisbet and Steve Perry.
"This is a true loss to the climbing community and they will be missed greatly. Andy was an instructor at Glenmore Lodge during the mid 1980s to early 1990s.
"Both students and staff still fondly recall his open nature and energy for winter climbing which never changed.
"This is a sad day for Scottish climbing and their prolific contribution will be sadly missed.”
Mr Perry, 47, has been described as a "passionate" winter climber who also had many new ascents to his name.
The pair are said to have developed a climbing partnership in recent years.
Concerns were raised for the two men in difficulty on Ben Hope in Sutherland at around 3.45pm on Tuesday.
A search operation was launched involving the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team and an HM Coastguard helicopter.
The helicopter crew discovered the bodies on the north-west side of the 3,041ft mountain shortly after 2am yesterday.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "We can confirm that the bodies of two men have now been recovered from Ben Hope in Sutherland.
"The recovery was made by volunteers from the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team and the HM Coastguard helicopter yesterday afternoon."
