Dead Cairngorms climber named

By ALISTAIR MUNRO
Published on 12/02/2013 10:07

A climber who plunged to his death in white-out blizzards in the Cairngorms has been named as 31-year-old Graham Connell from Yorkshire.

• Climber found dead in Cairngorms named as Graham Connell

• 31-year-old fell to his death in horrendous conditions

• Five of Mr Connell’s companions were found by mountain rescuers

He had gone to the aid of a colleague who had slipped and fallen but, unbeknown to him, had struggled to safety. Mr Connell then fell himself, tumbling about 300ft in an area called Jacob’s Ladder.

His five companions then decided to make their own way off the peak, but got completely lost in the horrendous conditions, with snow drifts being whipped up by 60mph winds.

In a tragic twist, it is understood Mr Connell had the climbing party’s only map.

As a result, the group headed in the wrong direction and a massive search was launched when they failed to return to their base late on Sunday.

They were discovered on Monday afternoon several miles from where the tragedy happened at Carn Tarsuinn.

Mr Connell’s body was recovered just minutes later by mountain rescuers.

The walkers were part of a larger group of 35 from the Leeds University Union Hiking Club who were visiting the Highlands on a three-day adventure.

It is believed Mr Connell, from the Castleford area, had been a former student who was still a member of the club.