A KEEN mountaineer from Kent has fallen more than 3,000ft to his death while climbing one of the most treacherous peaks in the world.

Andrew Mayers, a former Maidstone Grammar School student of Forge Lane, Headcorn, was on an expedition to climb four previously unconquered peaks on the Russian and Chinese border when he died.

Mr Mayers’ father David has paid tribute to a “truly exceptional man” who was a devoted father to his five-year-old son Joseph.

Andrew was descending from the summit of Peak Pobeda in Krygyzstan after conquering the four unnamed peaks in one the world’s harshest climates with an Adventure Peaks team when the tragedy happened on Sunday, August 10.

It is understood the 39-year-old was ahead of his fellow climber, Robb Jarvis, when he slipped. He had managed to cling onto a rope left by a previous expedition, but it snapped and he plunged 3,250ft.

His father said: “He was a truly exceptional man who will be greatly missed. He was a very experienced climber and he knew the risks, but he loved his mountaineering. He was well aware of the dangers. I think Peak Pobeda is regarded as the hardest mountain in Russia to climb.”

Andrew, an engineer with an environment-friendly power company, was born in Dymchurch. His family moved to Headcorn where he went to primary school before going on to Maidstone Grammar School.

After studying economics at Ulster University, he had returned to Kent and lived in West Malling before returning to the family home in Headcorn. He met his partner, Joanna, while they were both members of the Maidstone Mountaineering Club.