Petworth climber Rob Gauntlett killed in the French Alps
Tributes have been paid to Petworth explorer Rob Gauntlett - the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest - who was killed in the French Alps.
Mr Gauntlett and his friend James Atkinson from Wisborough Green have been remembered at services at St Mary's Church in the village after they were killed when they fell on a route on the east face of Mont Blanc.
Rob became the youngest Briton to reach the summit of the world's highest peak in 2006, when he was just 19.
In November 2008 Rob and his close friend James Hooper, of Somerset, were named National Geographic Adventurers of the Year in a ceremony in Washington DC in recognition of their effort to travel from north to south pole using only natural and man power.
The pair planned the mission to raise money for the Princes Trust and to raise awareness of climate change.
Rob's parents Mr Gauntlett's parents, Nicola and David have arrived in Chamonix, a French town near the mountain.
They have family spoke of their devastation at the 21-year-old's death while "doing something that he loved".
To leave your tributes to Rob leave your comments below, email the newsroom at news@chiobserver.co.uk or ring reporter Jenny Mouland on 07801 195 419.
Tributes:
Just like to add our condolences to the many.
Rob and James were about to work with us (the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and The Royal Parks) in a project involving schoolchildren and a new orchard being created in Greenwich Park.
He was a young man with many fine qualities - modest, inspirational, adventurous, aware of the problems of the world and attempting to do something actively to help.
His parents must be devastated, but they have so many reasons to be proud. His achievements by far outweighed his years.
Patricia Mandeville
Sustainable Development
DCMS
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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