Very sad indeed and a different kind of sad is that one of the first things people think of doing when faced with this kind of grief is posting something on facebook.

I was getting battered by the wind on Middle Fell yesterday afternoon so he must have had a hard time up there. If he'd turned back because of the conditions he might still be here.

Simon.

Keep your opinions to yourself. Facebook is often the best outlet for grief, it gives confimation for many of the people they as a couple knew the most, that the worst has happened.

Rest in peace Chris

I went to school with Chris and he was genuinely a lovely bloke. Very sad. Condolences to his family and friends x

Simon,

I agree with Lewis, sharing your unwanted opinion at a time of such a terrible loss is a very insensitive thing to do.

For someone to lose their life at such a young age is an absolute tradegy for his family and all who knew Chris.

RIP Chris

Yes Simon, people can choose facebook if they wish to share their grief and news with their friends and family. None of your business me thinks.....

So sad to hear this news. Hope you can take some comfort from the fact that he was doing something that he loved

Simon Patrick, you have done the same yourself ,but your post is that of a troll , there's a family grieving

Simon patrick, theres a grieving family do you have no heart very insensitve, my thoughts go out to the family and freinds at this very shocking sad time fly high chris R.I.P ❣

All the snowflakes offended by a common sense reply.. turning back is soul sapping but it keeps you safe.

Years ago people who knew someone involved in a tragedy like this would have said "if only he'd turned back" or "if only he'd been driving slower" or "if only he hadn't swam so far from the shore"

These days, someone offers an opinion based on common sense with no offence intended and all the snowflakes come out to say how offended they are.

Simon and Geoff are right.

Conditions were not good on Monday so yes, if he had turned back,,,,,

Chris knew the area well and was probably not fazed by the conditions. He was a lovely and kind man and will be truely missed.

Also i would like to point out to you all that 'if onlys' are things you review in the past and dont do in the present.

If only i didnt get out of bed yesterday...Well! We make choices on our experiences and character and some people are not fazed by pushing boundries.

For some people like Simon who is fazed by the wind then we would not achive anything in life.

RIP Chris, you enjoyed doing something you love in a place you love.

Half of what Phil has said makes no sense at all if you read it slowly.

How do you know Simon was fazed by the wind. It sounds to me like he kept within safe boundaries rather than doing what you support which is pushing them too far. He was, after all, able to get off the fells on Monday and type his somewhat insensitive post on here.

This is tragic. We were ghyll scrambling up there on Monday and he may have passed us on his way up about 2pm - he waved and looked so happy, photographing his surroundings. There was nobody around all day other than an older couple with a dog. So sad.x

Some insane replies here - a young bloke has died FFS.

It's really no-one's business the medium a grieving widow chooses to express her feelings, feelings which no-one should ever have to experience. What would you suggest was appropriate, Simon? A letter to The Times?

It's a wild and ever-changing environment out there and things can very quickly go wrong for even the most experienced individuals. It really could happen to anyone. There but for the grace of God go you and I, fella!

Thoughts with Chris's wife and all those who knew the guy.

tell me this not true

My husband Chris was not stupid. He had made it to the top and was on his way back down. No one was there so no one has any idea what the weather was like, as we all know it can change suddenly.
Simon Patrick, I would appreciate it if perhaps you can take into consideration that people deal with things in different ways. If I want to post on my social media then I will. If I want to stand and scream, then I will.
At the end of the day I am 28 years old and should not be having to say goodbye to my 35 year old husband. He has left behind a 2 year old little girl. None of this was his fault. I have been told by professionals that this tragic accident could have happened to the most experienced of walkers.
Simon Patrick a little advice if I may, please re-read your comments back to yourself before you post in future and think if you were on the receiving end of it, what would your thoughts be!

Geoff Crowther, my husband had already reached the top and was on his way back down. Chris may have tried to take shelter somewhere, no one knows because no one was there.
As with my previous comment to Simon Patrick, maybe think about your comments will be received, especially to his grieving family!

Awful news. Thoughts are with you and your family Sam.

It amazes me, how people can be so insensitive on social media. I suppose they just sit behind a keyboard and have no concept of how comments affect the families who may read it. Would they serious make such comments if they were face to face.

Just think before you type and make assumptions.

Awful news. Thoughts are with you and your family Sam.

It amazes me, how people can be so insensitive on social media. I suppose they just sit behind a keyboard and have no concept of how comments affect the families who may read it. Would they serious make such comments if they were face to face.

Just think before you type and make assumptions (when you weren’t even there!!)

It looks like Simon has taken the blunt end of everyone's anger and upset. Perfectly understandable under the circumstances even if what the guy said was right.

No one said or hinted that Chris was stupid and according Simon he did know what the weather was like. I suspect that's why he stayed somewhere safer.

And as for the comment by Phil about people who are fazed not achieving anything in life well that has to be the most insensitive comment of them all. Being fazed is not a weakness. In fell walking fazed is an insulting way to say someone has used their experience wisely to make sure they get off the fell.

Deepest sympathies to you and your family Sam. It's a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to you.