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Gulmarg Tragedy 10-Feb-2007 At 11:32:43 AM woogga

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this was in the herald sun on thursday; a good article i think.

A VICTORIAN climber and skier killed in an avalanche in the Himalayas was a great mate and an inspiration to all, friends said today.

Shaun "Shaggy" Kratzer, 31, died yesterday while skiing at a height of 4,000m near Apherwat mountain at Gulmarg, a popular resort outside Srinagar in Indian Kashmir.

Today, members of Melbourne's climbing community remembered a man "who was great to have around and who had plenty of time for everyone."

"He was a good bloke, and a great character. He was someone who I enjoyed bantering with a lot," fellow climber Simon Mentz told AAP.

"He was respected for his knowledge of the climbing scene but equally he was not a gun climber, not a risk-taker - Shaun was pretty cautious and conservative.

"He brought to the scene an interest that extended beyond the ego-driven world of climbing.

"He had time for everyone around him and what they got up to.

"He would climb with a wide range of people, novice climbers and others new to the scene as much as experienced climbers."

Mr Kratzer, who was also a professional photographer, had been on a skiing holiday at Gulmarg since January 24, Fairfax Digital reported.

According to local police, the avalanche swept him two kilometres downhill and it was 45 minutes before rescuers managed to dig out his body.

"Shaun was a dear friend to many, who was always willing to devote his time and effort to his own and his friends' adventures and ideas," close friend and fellow climber Corey Putkunz said.

"He was a skilled rock climber and skier who'd spent many summer months living at the cliffs of Victoria's premier climbing locations.

"I will remember him most as a best mate and for his amazing charisma and lust for new adventures on rock and in the mountains, which left me with fond memories after every trip. His spirit will be missed by many."

Wendy Eden, of Natimuk, near Western Victoria's climbing mecca Mount Arapiles, remembered Mr Kratzer as a 'lovely and generous person'.

"Shaggy was very fond of the outdoors and had been talking about this ski resort in Kashmir for three years.

"He died doing what he loved."