One of the men killed in an avalanche in the Scottish Highlands last month has been named as Robert Pritchard, 37, from New Malden.

Northern Constabulary said the climber was swept away with his mountain instructor Chris Walker, 29, on Wednesday, February 24, in an area known as Curved Ridge at Buachaille Etive Mor, Glencoe.

The pair died after falling more than 450m (1,500ft) when the avalanche swept them off the spur above Coire na Tulaich, a treacherous route reserved for experienced climbers.

Nic Fisher, a friend of Mr Pritchard’s family, posted a tribute to the dead man on an internet forum.

Mr Fisher said: “I didn’t meet Robert but, as a friend of his father, who is also a lifetime mountaineer, I know he had a passion for the mountains.

“My heart goes out to both families and friends and we thank the Mountain Rescue Team and everyone involved for their efforts.”

A third man in the group escaped being engulfed by the avalanche and got off the mountain with the help of another group of climbers.

Mr Walker and Mr Pritchard fell over a ridge after the snow under their feet gave way. The men had changed their route off the summit because they thought it would be safer.

Their bodies were recovered by the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team and two other climbers rescued the third member of the group, leading him to safety further down the mountain.

Leader of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, John Grieve, said at the time that the two men set off a small, slab avalanche “that just took them off their feet”.

Mr Grieve said another group of climbers found the survivor, who used a handheld GPS unit to guide rescue teams to the dead bodies.

Mr Walker was an experienced mountaineer and held the Mountain Instructor Certificate after leading expeditions in Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet, India, Russia and South America.

Adventure company Jagged Globe, which organises expeditions across the globe, confirmed the two men were on a course it was running.

The company said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we confirm that a Jagged Globe instructor and one course member were killed.

“Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the families at this immensely sad time. It has been upsetting and harrowing for all, but our first and last thoughts are with the families of the men who died.”

Did you know Mr Pritchard? Use the form below to leave your tributes.