Builder Brett Lentfer and climbing partner James Spaile dead in NZ climbing fall
Flowers were left on the doorstep of Cooma climber James Spaile’s home as friends struggled to come to terms with his sudden death alongside Canberra-based Brett Lentfer in New Zealand this week.
Canberra Star
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Friends and workmates of Cooma climber James Spaile were still coming to terms with his sudden death in a tragic climbing accident in New Zealand earlier this week.
Mr Spaile, 44, a keen climber and mountain bike rider, lived on the outskirts of the close-knit high country town and worked locally for Snowy Hydro.
Work colleagues gathered at the local pub on Thursday night to remember their mate, who, along with his Canberra-based climbing partner, Brett Lentfer, 62, fell to his death when a climbing rope cut on a piece of jagged rock.
Both were experienced outdoorsmen and were accompanied by an expert guide.
Snowy Mountain Bike Club secretary Tim Lawley said Mr Spaile was freakishly fit, often heading out on day-long rides of up to 200km along trails surrounding town.
“The times I met him, he was a really good, genuine guy,” Mr Lawley said.
Close friend, fellow bike rider and work colleague Nigel Smith said news of Mr Spaile’s death was sudden and devastating.
A lone bunch of flowers by the door at Mr Spaile’s house on Kiah St, on a high ridge overlooking town, marked the tragedy.
Neighbours described him as a “lovely fella” who was friendly and quiet.
Snowy Hydro’s CEO, Paul Broad said Mr Spaile was “a valued and much loved member of the Snowy team”.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this tragic time,” he said.
Both men were members of the Canberra Climbers Association.
The duo were on a challenging but popular route outside Queenstown when tragedy struck.
New Zealand authorities recovered Mr Spaile’s body on Wednesday, the day of the fall, and Mr Lentfer’s on Thursday morning, before releasing the mens’ identities.
The family of Mr Lentfer were in mourning as news of the tragedy spread this week.
Mr Lentfer’s wife Trish said she was too upset to talk after her husband’s death as family and friends gathered at the couple’s home in the southern suburb of Garran on Thursday night.
Mr Lentfer, originally from New Zealand, was a keen outdoorsman and triathlete who regularly competed around Canberra.
In a statement, the guiding company overseeing the daylong traverse, Aspiring Guides said: “We are devastated and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives.”
Queenstown police Inspector Olaf Jensen said: “The thoughts of the NZ police and the wider Queenstown community are with the families of James and Brett who tragically lost their lives while climbing in the Remarkables mountain range yesterday.”
The duo, both experienced climbers, were on a grand traverse of the single and double cone when tragedy struck.
The route is described as “a steep committing alpine ridge line suitable for climbers with previous mountaineering and rock climbing experience”.
A group of climbers had to be rescued from the route by helicopter just over a month ago.
Alpine Rescue team member Chris Prudden told New Zealand media the pair were “in good hands” with experienced guides accompanying along the popular route.
“In this case, it was a professional guide who was managing the situation, and I think there was something very untoward that happened,” he said
From the route, climbers can look down on the popular ski town of Queenstown.
Mr Lentfer was a respected local builder in Canberra and had been recognised for mentoring troubled young men as apprentices.
Master Builders Association ACT chief executive Michael Hopkins said the local industry was reeling at the news of Mr Lentfer’s death.
Mr Hopkins said Mr Lentfer would be remembered as a “highly regarded leader in the local construction industry”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is supporting both mens’ families.