TRIBUTES have been paid to a “role model” climber found dead on Britain’s highest peak days after he went missing.

Hyder Ali Manir was found on Ben Nevis by Scottish Mountain Search and Rescue teams who used a break in the dire weather to scour the slopes again on Sunday.

The body of the 20-year-old, who lived in Canterbury Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, was discovered near an area known as Coire Eoghainn a week after he was reported missing by his cousin.

Mr Manir’s family had held to a slim hope he was still alive.

But Northern Constabulary changed the rescue operation to a search and recovery effort after snow and high winds closed in on the peak on Tuesday, halting all recovery efforts until Saturday.

Chief Insp John Chisolm said he was “almost certain” Mr Manir had reached the summit before getting into difficulty on the descent.

“That he managed it was testimony to his physical fitness and determination, in what were extremely difficult conditions,” he said.

“For whatever reason he then descended heading too far south, rather than to the west.”

Volunteer rescue teams from Lochaber, RAF Kinloss, RAF Valley, Cairngorm, Torridon, Dundonnell, Assynt and Ochils had spent more than 900 man hours assisted by sniffer dogs and RAF helicopters looking for Mr Manir.

Rescue teams endured extremely poor weather conditions and reduced visibility, making the search difficult but discovered Mr Manir on Sunday afternoon.

Allah Ditta, a family friend, said: “It is always a tragedy to lose somebody, but particularly so at this young age.

“He had a great future ahead and it is a huge loss to his family and the community. He was an asset and role model for the younger generation.”

Mr Manir’s family asked to grieve following the news but stressed throughout the search their thanks to all who helped in the painstaking operation.

He had embarked on a trip up the mountain with a female cousin on Sunday, January 30, but she turned back at about 1pm while he continued to climb alone.

The alarm was raised when he failed to meet the woman at 6pm.

A post-mortem examination was expected to be carried out today and Mr Manir’s death has been reported to the procurator fiscal for Inverness, the equivalent office of a coroner in England and Wales.

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