An experienced climber has died in a tragic accident on Ben Nevis.
Rob Brown had been scaling the 1,345 meter-high mountain in the Highlands on Friday, July 29 before he got into difficulty. Mountain Rescue teams and ambulance crews were dispatched to the incident but the 33-year-old was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Rob, who lived in Fort William, was the owner of a climbing company called Omega Guilding and took groups of climbers out on tours of Ben Nevis.
His sudden passing has left his loved ones devastated as they described him as 'a true gentleman' and 'an amazing man'.
A statement on Rob's death was posted on his Facebook today.
It reads: "On Friday, July 29, we lost Rob to a climbing accident on the north face of Ben Nevis. It was a beautiful day and he was excited to enjoy it in the mountains, as he always loved doing with his free time.
"Anyone that knows Rob knows he is experienced, calm, confident and not a risk-taker on the hill and Friday was no different. It was a tragic accident that couldn’t have been prevented and we want everyone to know it was quick and painless for him.
"He left us whilst having a great day out and was happy and content with his life. We are all absolutely heartbroken and devastated that he has had to leave us when he had so much more life left to give and with such an exciting future ahead.
"We are grateful for everyone that has reached out to us so far - to help and support us in so many ways - whilst we navigate the unimaginable. Thank you to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue members who helped retrieve Rob and his belongings. Many of whom knew Rob personally and we are so grateful.
"We would like to host a celebration of Rob’s life in the next few weeks and will share plans and a date when we can. It would mean the world to all of us if you knew Rob and could join, to help share your memories and stories of him."
Floods of heartfelt tributes poured in for the climber, with one person writing underneath the post: "Such sad, sad news. An amazing man, a true gentleman. My sincere condolences to his family and everyone who ever had the pleasure to have met him."
Another added: "Rob was always such a larger-than-life character, full of fun and never failed to inspire me every time I met him. A true loss."
Lochaber Mountain Rescue described the last few days as 'extremely difficult' for the team following the tragedy. They said: "It’s been an extremely hard few days for the team and we’d like to extend a huge thanks to everyone who’s supported Robs family and friends in this difficult time."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "At 11.15am on Friday, July 29, we received a report of a man having fallen at Zero Gully, Ben Nevis.
"Following a mountain rescue, the body of a 33-year-old man was recovered. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
"A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."
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