Key Takeaways:
- A 20-year-old tramper, Connor Purvis, was found dead on a solo tramping trip in the southern side of Mt Huxley.
- Purvis was a selfless volunteer and a "fine young man" who contributed over 250 hours to student volunteer work and was a cornet player in the Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass.
- The death is the seventh climbing death in Fiordland and the Southern Alps since late November, making it one of the most tragic climbing seasons in recent times.
- Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley emphasizes the importance of careful route selection and not taking unnecessary risks.
- The council will likely conduct a review into the climbing season to identify potential factors contributing to the increased number of incidents.
Introduction to the Incident
A young Dunedin tramper, Connor Purvis, was found dead on a solo tramping trip in the southern side of Mt Huxley. The 20-year-old’s body was located by searchers early yesterday morning, and while formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be the missing tramper. Otago Coastal Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat described the search as "hard work, in a remote, rugged and high-risk environment." Purvis was a well-known and respected member of his community, working at Dunedin shop Bike House and playing the cornet in the Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass.
Tributes to Connor Purvis
Purvis was a former student at Otago Boys’ High School, where he was remembered as a "much-loved former student and a fine young man" by rector Richard Hall. He was a significant part of the school community, being the youngest of three brothers to attend the school. Purvis contributed over 250 hours to student volunteer work, was a form leader, and annually performed a rendition of the Last Post at the school Anzac service. He was also an exceptional student, achieving NCEA levels 1, 2, and 3 with excellence, and earning scholarships in physics and calculus in 2023. Hall described Purvis as "defined by his selfless service and leadership" and said he was "a young man of great character who gave back to his school without expectation of reward."
Search and Rescue Efforts
The search for Purvis was a difficult and challenging operation, with searchers facing remote and rugged terrain. Police were grateful to Purvis’ friends and family for their input and assistance with the search. The service of teams like the search and rescue team, who worked tirelessly to locate Purvis, was also recognized by Hall. The school appreciated the efforts of these teams, who often work in difficult conditions to help those in need. Richard Roe, a teacher at the school, was part of the SAR team who had been out looking for Purvis, and his service was particularly noted.
Climbing Safety Concerns
The death of Purvis is the seventh climbing death in Fiordland and the Southern Alps since late November, making it one of the most tragic climbing seasons in recent times. Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said that it had been a particularly bad season, with several incidents occurring in a short period. While it is still speculation as to why this is the case, Daisley noted that there has been an increase in participation in climbing and mountaineering this year. He emphasized the importance of careful route selection and not taking unnecessary risks, saying that "there’s nothing wrong with using the summer and this great weather we do have and exploring New Zealand’s backcountry, but taking that extra time to select a route that’s within your ability is so important."
Review of the Climbing Season
The Mountain Safety Council will likely conduct a review into the climbing season to identify potential factors contributing to the increased number of incidents. Daisley said that the council would look at various factors, including the weather, route selection, and the experience level of climbers. Federated Mountain Clubs president Megan Dimozantos also commented on the incident, saying that she did not want to speculate about why it had been such a torrid period for climbers. However, she noted that changing plans due to weather or other conditions was a common practice among climbers, and that it was essential to be flexible and adaptable when venturing into the backcountry. The review will aim to identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations to climbers and outdoor enthusiasts to help reduce the risk of accidents in the future.