Ed Cotter has passed away.

I received the sad news today that Ed Cotter passed away. Ed will be remembered by many of us as an exceptionally good climber, the Father of Adventure Tourism, and a warm and supportive friend with an infectious sense of humour. 

I remember climbing Mt. McFettrick with him in 1991, being his boss at Franz in 1991 and a friend ever since. My daughters loved him and often talk of Ed at Anita Mckerrow's 21st, sleeping in our woodshed at Hokitika. You were an amazing man Ed. My condolences to the Cotter family.                      
                                                All photographs taken by Bob McKerrow

  R to L: Ed Cotter, John Nankervis, Chris Bonnington, Dave Bamford, Mike Browne and Colin Moneath.

                                   Ed Cotter left with Franz Josef mountain guide, Peter McCormack 1991.

                                                   Ed Cotter cutting steps of the Fox Glacier.

    Author Lyn McKinnon, Ed Cotter and Naila McKerrow ay my house. Lyn wrote a book on Ed Cotter.

                             Ed Cotter with his old climbing partner, George Low of Everest fame.

 Ed Cotter centre, Mike Browne left with Chris Jillet right. On a climb of Mount McFettrick.

                           Chris Bonnington left and Ed Cotter right at Chancellor Hit, Fox Glacier.

My favourite New Zealand mountains

Last weekend I spent a lot of time sorting out my photos of the New Zealand mountains and I thought I would post a few of my favourites.. I spent many years working in the NZ mountains as a guide, running national parks, outdoor education work and as an amateur climber.

Mike Browne and Chris Jillet heading up from the head of the Tatare to Mt. McFettrick. Photo: Bob McKerrow

Castle Rocks hut and the Franz Josef Glacier. Photo: Bob McKerrow

Charlie Hobbs (l), Bob McKerrow and Roy Smith. Bob displaying his new book on Ebenezer Teichelmann at the Old Mountaineer Pub at Aoraki Mt. Cook. Photo: Aroha McKerrow

Skiing with a bunch of friends at the head of the Franz Josef neve. Photo: Bob McKerrow

The Catholic Church at Franz Josef in winter. St. Mildred peak and its satellites on the skyline. Photo: Bob McKerrow

The Minerets and Eli de Beaumont and peaks at the head of the Tasman Glacier. Photo: Bob McKerrow

With 6th and 7th form pupils from Westland High on the summit of St. Mildred overlooking the Franz neve. This was sponsored by the Charlie Douglas young explorers scheme. Photo: Bob McKerrow

Lake Mapourika, near Franz Josef and the Fritz Range with St. Mildred's Dome on the far left. Photo: Bob McKerrow

With Chris Bonniungton (l) at Fox Glacier after skiing down from Pioneer Hut: Photo: Mike Browne

The Fritz Range with the Minarets on the far left top corner. Photo: Bob McKerrow

A climber heading toward the high peak of Red Lion. Mount Evans to the left. Photo: Bob McKerrow

Climbing Elie de Beaumont from the west. Photo: Bob McKerrow

Haast, Lendenfeld and Tasman in winter. Photo: Bob McKerrow

On the summit of Lendenfeld with Pene Evison, looking to the north shoulder of Tasman and beyond. Photo: Bob McKerrow.

The blistered feet of Stuart Drake (l), Jerry Feazey and Barry Hanson after we had come over Graham Saddle and stopped for the day at de la Beche. Photo: Bob McKerrow