Friend praises hiker Samuel Harris after body found

The last contact with Samuel Harris (right) and Aziz Ziriat was on New Year’s Day

PA Media Aziz Ziriat, left, and Samuel Harris in shorts, a T-shirt and large backpacks in front of a lake surrounded by mountains — The last contact with Samuel Harris (right) and Aziz Ziriat was on New Year’s Day

The best friend of a British mountaineer who died in the Dolomites has paid tribute to him and added that there are “no words to fully describe” how he felt.

Samuel Harris, 35, and his 36-year-old Aziz Ziriat were reported missing on January 6 when they failed to check in for a flight home. The last contact with Londoners took place on January 1.

Harris’ body was found buried under snow in an Italian mountain range last Wednesday. The search for Mr. Ziriat continues.

On Sunday, Harris’ friend Spencer Jones said: “To say I’m devastated would be an understatement.”

Mr. Harris was an experienced mountaineer

Provided by the family of Samuel Harris, who can be seen looking at the camera — Mr. Harris was an experienced mountaineer

He continued on Instagram: “The search for our good friend Aziz Ziriat continues, so for now I want to focus on Sam.

“He has been an amazing friend for 23 years, since high school.

“He was probably the most knowledgeable person I have ever known, and building the business with him was an incredible journey.”

More than 100 mountaineers are taking part in the search

Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico Trentino rescuers are searching for the missing alpinist Aziz Ziriat in the Adamello group. In the photo, they are dressed in glowing clothes. There is snow in the foreground and trees in the background. — More than 100 mountaineers are taking part in the search

More than 140 people from Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza Rescue, Carabinieri and the local fire brigade are taking part in the search for Ziriat.

CNSAS emergency services said rescue teams were still examining the snow in an area of about 5,500 square meters with the help of a dog.

They searched the area after tracing the cell phones of two mountaineers, where their backpacks were found on Wednesday.

Mr. Ziriat’s phone case and card were found on Saturday.

The search was suspended for the next day after 15:00 GMT on Sunday as it began to get dark.

Family leaflets Aziz Ziriat, smiling, stands in front of a fence full of pink flowers — The search for Aziz Ziriat continues

In a statement released Saturday afternoon, Ziriat’s family said: “We are devastated by the tragic events of the last few days.

“Our appreciation for the coordinated work and expertise of Alpine Rescue, emergency services and volunteers in Italy is immeasurable.

“The work they did, battling the difficult terrain and weather conditions, and their commitment to finding Aziz was exceptional.

“We are also incredibly grateful for the incredibly kind and generous support from family and friends. Aziz is still loved and prayed for.

“We hope with all our hearts that he will be found and brought home soon.”