Two Australians Dead After Severed Ropes Cause 300-Metre Fall During NZ Mountain Climb

Two Australian men died yesterday after a tragic climbing accident on New Zealand’s The Remarkables mountain range, local police have confirmed.

The New Zealand Herald reports Brett Alexander Lentfer, 62, and James Harry Spaile, 44, were climbing the Grand Traverse route with a guide when they fell from Grand Alta Ridge.

The pair, described as experienced climbers, fell an estimated 300m during the incident. The guide was unharmed.

One body was retrieved by rescuers yesterday, while the other was recovered this morning.

Chris Prudden, the alpine rescue specialist who was first on the scene, told Stuff it was likely ropes securing the men were severed before the accident.

“The ropes are incredibly strong but sharp rocks can do the damage really quickly,” Prudden said.

“That’s not surprising given the nature of the terrain.”

“It’s very steep on either side,” Prudden told the Herald.

“The only way off it is to go across it.”

He added that warm and clear weather on the mountain range may have influenced conditions, saying “weak snow may well have been a component” in the tragedy.

Aspiring Guides, the tour company the men used for the climb, is reportedly working with police and the NZ Mountain Guides Association to investigate the accident.

The incident has been referred to the coroner.

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