The brother of one of the three British climbers killed in an avalanche in France has said "he died doing what he loved" as a church service took place for the victims in Chamonix.
A total of nine people died in the tragedy. French authorities believe wind triggered the avalanche, caused by heavy snow.
One of the UK's most respected climbers, Roger Payne, was among the victims, who were traversing Mont Maudit - or Cursed Mountain - in the Mont Blanc range when they were killed.
Steve Barber and John Taylor, both from the village of Upper Poppleton, York, also lost their lives in Thursday's disaster.
Among the other victims were three Germans, two Spaniards and one Swiss climber.
Mr Payne's brother, Keith Pritchard, told Sky News: "He was outgoing and so full of life. Every photograph he's got a smile in and he never seems to age.
"I was always convinced he would never take reckless chances and be professional so in a way I'm pleased that it wasn't anybody's fault. It was just an act of nature.
"Mountaineering was his life. He was a wonderful guy. I said to mum 'keep calm and carry on and just remember he died doing what he loved'."
The families of Mr Taylor, who was originally from Manchester, and Mr Barber also both said they were devastated.
Mrs Taylor said her husband, who was father to Emma, 10, and Louise, eight, had climbed Mont Blanc twice previously.
She said: "We are all truly devastated about this loss.
"John always had a keen interest in outdoor activities taking up mountaineering in 1998 and was a highly regarded and very active member of mountain rescue teams himself.
"John had climbed several challenging mountains across the world, including Mont Blanc on two previous occasions.
"He was a highly-respected climber and this event represents a significant loss to the UK climbing community."
Mr Barber's long-term partner Donna Rogers, with whom he had a daughter, 10-year-old Francesca, said: "As might be expected, the family and I are all devastated at the loss of Steve and his close friend John.
"Steve has lived in Poppleton most of his life. His parents ran the village Post Office before retiring several years ago.
"Steve, like John, loved the outdoors and was a keen walker. He always wanted to climb Mont Blanc, an ambition that this trip was to fulfil.
"He had been training hard for the ascent and had successfully completed several challenging climbs in Europe and in the UK prior to this trip."
The men's families thanked the mountain rescue teams who tried to save them.
The mountaineering world has also paid tribute to Mr Payne.
Dave Turnbull, chief executive of the British Mountaineering Council, said he was "shocked and saddened" by the death of the avalanche instructor and mountain guide.
He said: "Roger was one of the UK's most enthusiastic and respected climbers, with a track record of Alpine and Himalayan mountaineering stretching back to the 1980s."
Mr Payne, a former president of the British Mountain Guides, was originally from Hammersmith in west London, but is understood to have been living in Leysin, Switzerland, with New Zealand-born wife Julie-Ann Clyma, who is also an experienced mountaineer.
Source: http://news.sky.com/story/960038
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