It was Bernhard Leander Ewald Kriegeskorte (36) who died in one accident on Skarfjellet in Innerdalen Saturday afternoon.
The name is released by the police in consultation with the relatives. The relatives’ contact in the police, Olav Gjøvik, tells Dagbladet that the survivors are having a hard time.
Kriegeskorte was climbing with his wife when he fell. He is described as an experienced climber.
– Great grief
The leader of the climbing club of which Kriegeskorte was a member says that the environment is in mourning after the tragic accident.
– Bernard was very extroverted, inclusive and caring. He worked at both an upper secondary school and a primary school as an assistant, and took on assignments for weaker groups, says leader of Kristiansund mountain club, Stig Kanestrøm, to Dagbladet.
He tells of a person who never said no to attending events at the club.
– The climbing environment locally and nationally experiences great grief. It is a great loss for us who knew him personally, Kanestrøm adds.
Bernard is originally from Germany, and came to Kristiansund about five years ago. He brought with him a solid climbing competence from his home country, Kanestrøm says.
– He also spoke fluent Norwegian. He learned that in half a year.
Popular climbing area
The place where the accident happened is a popular climbing area.
– It is located at the beginning of Trollheimen, and is very easily accessible. From the car park it is an hour by walking up to the serviced tourist cabin from DNT – Innerdalshytta. From there there is a hike up to Innerdalsfjellet, which is known from “71 degrees north”.
Skarfjellet consists of three different climbable mountains, according to Kanestrøm.
Sørtoppen, where the accident happened, is a ten-rope route. And graded as five minus, which is well within his area of expertise, says the climbing club leader.
He states that they are awaiting an investigation, as well as the accident report from the Norwegian Climbing Association.
Yesterday, Romsdal’s peak group held a memorial ceremony. On Tuesday, Kristiansund Mountain Club will do the same.
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