Mountain guide 'touched countless lives with his generosity, warmth and strength'
Thomas Vialletet. Photo: supplied via RNZ
The wife and business partner of the Wānaka guide killed in a tragic mountain fall on Aoraki/Mt Cook this week has thanked the community for its support and says "his passing has left an ache in our hearts".The wife and business partner of the Wānaka guide killed in a tragic mountain fall on Aoraki/Mt Cook this week has thanked the community for its support and says "his passing has left an ache in our hearts".
Summit Explorers co-owner Danielle Vialletet’s husband, Thomas Vialletet, and a client, American lawyer Kellam Conover, fell while completing a grand traverse of the mountain on Monday night.
The group of four climbers were roped together in pairs and climbing from Empress Hut to the summit when the pair fell from the western side of the Summit Ridge.
The other guide and client were rescued early on Tuesday.
How the two climbers were found
Over $100k raised for family of mountain guide
The bodies of Mr Vialletet and Mr Conover were recovered later in the day.
Mrs Vialletet, a New Zealander, said yesterday her husband, originally from France, held high standards of professionalism when operating in a job he loved.
"Thomas touched countless lives with his generosity, warmth and quiet strength.
"His passing has left an ache in our hearts and in the wider guiding and outdoor community."
She said her husband fell in love with New Zealand’s mountains and culture, carrying them alongside his 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 back country.
"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."
Mr Conover’s mother, Pam Conover, told
Stuff
her son was a compassionate person — "the kindest-possible man, who always took care of other people".
She said her son never wanted to climb the highest peaks, just the ones that appealed to him.
Climbing led to him meeting Mr Vialletet when they climbed together in New Zealand two years ago.
Givealittle page was set up this week
by friends to help the grieving family.
It said the sudden loss of Mr Vialletet meant his wife and children faced the immediate challenge of losing their main source of income, "compounding their immense grief".