Troy Forsyth, a respected New Zealand mountain guide, ski patroller and alpinist, has died in an avalanche on Mount Dixon in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Forsyth was skiing with three experienced companions near the summit on Sunday, October 18, when an avalanche swept him away as the party descended the mountain’s east face. Emergency services were called shortly after 10am. He was found unresponsive and later confirmed deceased. Troy was 28 years of age.

His death has shaken New Zealand’s close-knit climbing and mountaineering community. Forsyth was known for his technical ability, adventurous approach to the mountains and professional work in avalanche safety. “Troy was a deeply talented and respected practitioner within his field,” said Will Rowntree, a friend, fellow ski patroller at The Remarkables and spokesperson for the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA). “Troy was a talented skier, climber and mountain enthusiast. Well known for a dry sense of humour and quick wit, he was a pleasure to work and recreate with.”

At approximately 3,004 metres, Mount Dixon is a well trod Southern Alps objective. Any one who plays on this peak is a skilled Mountaineer. The area the avalanche occurred was not recognised as overtly dangerous. Saying this, while only relatively low, 3000 metres in the New Zealand Alps have all the challenges of Himalaya and the Andes without the altitude.

The accident happened during the descent of the east face. The circumstances have not been fully established publicly.

A life defined by ambitious climbing

Forsyth was based in Queenstown, where he worked as an avalanche snow-safety officer and ski patroller at The Remarkables. He was also an assistant ski guide with the NZMGA and an avalanche educator endorsed by the Mountain Safety Council.

In recent years, Forsyth had also demonstrated his ability as a leader, stepping into one of just three Snow Safety Officer positions at The Remarkables Ski Area in Queenstown. Rowntree said Forsyth was well loved and respected by his teammates, and that his skill was recognised throughout the industry.

Outside work, he pursued demanding objectives throughout the Southern Alps. His climbing focused on the kind of long, complex journeys that require stamina, technical competence and consistent judgement over extended periods.

One recorded achievement was the Arthur’s Pass Round, which he completed in 17.5 hours. The circuit covers about 48 kilometres, takes in nine peaks and involves roughly 5,500 metres of vertical gain. That speed in New Zealand ranges is formidable.

Forsyth also made a four-day west-to-east crossing of the Banks Range with Ruari Macfarlane. Their journey, recorded in the American Alpine Journal, included new routes on the west faces of Sibyl Peak and Mount Unicorn.

His achievements also included the first ski traverse of the Hooker Range and the first monoski descent of the Somnus Couloir, according to Rowntree.

The traverse reflected Forsyth’s appetite for exploratory climbing. He loved travelling into less familiar country, working out a route as he went and adding new lines to the record of the range. He had an insatiable appetite for the mountains.

The value of a mountain partner

Forsyth gave this in full as both an accomplished alpinist and someone others valued in the mountains. Rowntree described Forsyth as someone comfortable in his own skin, equally happy being out alone or sharing the mountains with others. He also recalled a distinctive personal style. “He was often seen wearing a bright pink helmet and dragging his hand through the snow with a surf-inspired skiing technique.” Forsyth was, in Rowntree’s words, “Truly a unique fellow”.

Forsyth’s climbing record shows a preference for demanding journeys, remote ranges and exploratory routes. His professional life reflected the same connection to the alpine environment, through guiding, ski patrol and avalanche education.

Troy’s death on Mount Dixon is a reminder that experience cannot eliminate every risk in alpine travel. His legacy reaches beyond the circumstances of his final descent, living on in the routes he helped establish, the journeys he shared and the mountain community in which he played a valued role.

Gripped extends our condolences to Troy’s family and the Alpine Community of New Zealand.

Vale, Troy Forsyth.

The post Troy Forsyth: New Zealand alpinist killed in Mount Dixon avalanche appeared first on Gripped Magazine.