THE father of a climber who died in an avalanche in the Highlands has said he was "a son to be proud of".
Chris Bell, 24, a champion mountain biker and PhD student died along with three others in an avalanche on Bidean nam Bian just over a week ago.
His father, Simon Bell, 52, said: "It is unbearable to think about. Christopher was an outstanding character.
"He loved life. He loved mathematics. He was a gentleman. He was a son to be proud of, a son all parents would be proud of."
He said his son, who was a successful endurance and triathlon racer, said: "Chris was born on a bike.
"He loved the outdoors. He loved the mountains."
Mr Bell, from Blackburn, Lancashire, also described how when the police broke the news of his son's death he had been at home.
He added: "We went out for a meal. When we got back, there was one of those knocks at the door that, as a parent, you never want to hear."
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