An Aberdeenshire walker who died after a fall near Ben Nevis has been described as a “lovely guy” who loved the outdoors.
Steven Fogg, of Dess, near Aboyne, slipped and fell 600ft whilst on the Carn Mor Dearg Arete path.
The 56-year-old was airlifted to Fort William’s Belford Hospital, but could not be saved.
His wife Susan was too upset to speak about the tragedy yesterday, but neighbours described him as a “lovely man” who “absolutely loved hill walking”.
One resident said: “They are lovely people. He was very active. It is a quiet area, we got involved with each other when there was an issue going on. He was very supportive.
“He was very nice. He was a young, active, fit guy.”
It is understood Mr Fogg was originally from the Bolton area, and worked at design and engineering consultancy firm WS Atkins in Aberdeen as an engineer.
Westhill mountaineering expert Alan Crichton, who is also a quantity surveyor, had recently helped build an extension to Mr Fogg’s home.
The 56-year-old said the lives of Mr Fogg’s loved ones would be “turned upside down” by the tragedy, and described it as a “sad loss”.
Mr Crichton said: “He was a really, really nice guy – we got on really, really well. It is so sad for his wife and the family.
“I know he did quite a lot of outdoorsy stuff. He was a really pleasant guy to chat to.
“I was totally shocked when I heard. It is such a small world, and there is no justice in the world. It is a really sad loss.
“A little stumble can be quite tragic in the hills. You really just don’t know.”
The Carn Mor Dearg Artete adjoins Ben Nevis and is listed by mountaineering website Walk Highlands as for “experienced” walkers who “do not mind scrambling”.
One of the other walkers Mr Fogg was with raised the alarm after the fall, and the Lochaber Mountain Rescue team and Inverness-based Rescue 951 were scrambled.
A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal in due course.