Nethy Bridge mountaineer laid to rest in shadow of K2
Renowned Scots climber Rick Allen has been laid to rest in a mountain grave in the shadow of the mighty peak on which he perished.
Expedition leader Jerry Gore said Mr Allen's body had been retrieved and buried in a mountain grave in line with his family's wishes.
The 66-year-old who lived in Nethy Bridge was killed in an avalanche while attempting a new route on K2, the world’s second-highest peak, in Pakistan at the weekend.
Mr Gore said: "We buried Rick yesterday morning in a mountain grave as his family wanted.
"He was one of my oldest friends and the most honest and good-natured person I have ever shared a rope with. I had known him for more than 25 years.
"The night before he died he was on fire with excitement for a potential new route up K2, the mountain of mountains.
"The next morning, I was with Ishaq Ali on the normal route and only 300 metres from Rick when the avalanche happened. He died doing what he loved, and every minute of his life he lived to the full.
"It was a hot day and the conditions were difficult. We went back down and waited until midnight at Advanced K2 Base Camp before going to get him off the mountain.
"Rick was a legend in these parts and porters came down from Camp 2 to help us find him.
"At 6 am we woke to say our final goodbyes.
"Rick had a strong Christian faith. I washed his face and said a few words and a Christian prayer then Liaqat Karim, one of our Pakistani guides, said a Muslim prayer.
"Rick was a true gentleman. My thoughts are with his family and his lovely girlfriend, Kathi.
"This is the end of my K2 Insulin Challenge. I am at Base Camp and will be here for the next few days sorting Rick's affairs before beginning my journey home."
Newtonmore-based climbing legend Sandy Allan has paid tribute to his former mountaineering partner.
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Mr Allan told the Strathy: “Rick was amazingly tenacious, incredibly pushy.
“He was the yin to my yang. While I am cautious and safe in my approach, Rick was always for pushing on.
“We balanced each other out. We made a great team.
“I have lost a great friend who was wonderfully nice, lovable, reliable... but always pushy!”
Mr Allen was a trustee of Partners Relief and Development which seeks to meet health and educational needs of refugee children in some of the most challenging situations on earth.
He was aiming to raise at least £10,000 for the charity’s work on the borders of Myanmar following the recent military crackdown.
Aberdeen-born Mr Allen had moved to Nethy Bridge last year.
Read Mr Allan's full tribute in today's Strathy now on sale.
Tributes paid to Scots climbing great killed in avalanche on K2