The avalanche happened in Liathach's Northern Corries. Photo: Walter Baxter CC-BY-SA-2.0

A climber has died after being avalanched on a mountain in Torridon in the north-west Highlands.

The man was with another, winter climbing on Liathach on Friday when they were hit by the avalanche.

A search was launched when the pair, from Suffolk, failed to return from a climbing trip to Coireag Dubh Mòr on the northern side of the mountain. Torridon and Kinlochewe Mountain Rescue Team members were joined in the search by a Coastguard helicopter from Stornoway on Lewis.

The search was suspended on Friday night as the weather worsened.

It resumed on Saturday and one of the men was found walking out to raise the alarm. Mountain rescue team members found the body of the other climber.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Poor weather conditions made for difficult search conditions. The search continued during Saturday.

“One of the climbers was traced in the early afternoon, walking out to summon assistance for his companion. Both had been avalanched.

“His companion was subsequently traced, but did not survive. A report is being submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

The spokesperson added the two men were experienced and properly equipped.

Scottish Avalanche Information Service reports for Torridon put the avalanche rise on northern aspects moderate to low, the two lowest categories of risk. Moderate risk, however, means human-triggered avalanches are possible.

The name of the climber who died has not yet been released by police.