Thomas Vialletet was the core provider for his family. Photo: Supplied
More than $26,000 has been raised so far for the family of a Wānaka-based mountain guide who died on Aoraki Mt Cook.
Wānaka's Thomas Vialletet and a United States client were in a party of four, roped together in pairs, climbing from Empress Hut to the summit when the two fell from the mountain's west ridge on Monday night.
The other two climbers - a New Zealand guide and their client - were flown from the mountain early on Tuesday morning, while the bodies of Vialletet and his client were recovered at midday.
Vialletet, a married father-of-two, co-owned mountain and ski guide company Summit Explorers.
A family friend set up a Givealittle page for Vialletet's family with $26,230 donated by 5.30pm Wednesday.
"Thomas was the core provider for his family and their financial security was dependent on the income generated by their small guiding business. His sudden loss means Danielle and the children face the immediate challenge of losing their main source of income, compounding their immense grief," the page said.
"Through his guidance, kindness, and professionalism, Thomas profoundly touched the lives of countless clients, mentees, and friends. His expertise and passion for the mountains earned him deep respect across the entire guiding and climbing community. His absence will be hugely missed by all who knew him."
Vialletet grew up in the French Alps where he had been climbing, skiing and exploring mountains for over two decades, according to the Summit Explorers website.
"His quest for mountain adventures brought him to New Zealand and he immediately fell in love with the wilderness of this country," Vialletet's biography said.
Vialletet was a climbing instructor before becoming a fully-certified International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations mountain and ski guide.
From 2009 and 2012, he was part of the French National Young Alpinism Team.
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