NZ alpine community mourns guide Russell Braddock killed in FranceFACEBOOK Russell Braddock shared this selfie, taken on the Col de Berard on Mont BlancRussell Braddock's death in the French Alps has left New Zealand's alpine community mourning the loss of one of its best mountaineers. Having trained thousands of climbers – at the Army Adventure Training Centre, at polytech, and as a mountain guide – Braddock had a reputation for being "considered and careful", always keeping "safety a priority". Although Maindonald described his friend as a top mountain guide, he said he had not shown such skills as a youth, when he had been somewhat clumsy. While other guides would spend their spare time at the beach, Braddock would take any opportunity to be up in the mountains, Cotter said. Ian McAlpine, a former Mt Taranaki guide, described Braddock as one of the top mountaineers of his time.

Source: Stuff June 21, 2016 23:37 UTC