My friend Ari Kingan, a Kiwi from Golden Bay, died on Mount Aspiring today. Usually, I’m quite good at finding the right words to say what needs to be said. Today I’ve none. The mountains giveth and the mountains taketh away. Today they took away one of New Zealand’s strongest, most talented young alpinists. RIP Ari and thanks for the belay on your first ascent “Ari-An Supremacy” (M4) on the West Face of the Remarkables. It was the best mixed climb I’ve ever done.

Ari belays me on a route he FA’d in 2013. “Ari-an Supremacy” (M4).

Ari onsights an M8 traverse in the Pink Palace.

Ari at home.

Ari rope-guns me up The Clearances (M5) on the West Face of the Remarkables