THE funeral of a Ryedale climber who died in a fall on a Swiss mountain is to take place later this week.

The family of Bertie Ward, 19, of Langton, near Malton, have paid tribute to him, saying mountaineering was one of the passions of his life.

Bertie's funeral is to be held at St Andrew's Church, Langton, on Friday at 1pm.

Bertie fell to his death in a remote mountain range in the Arolla region of southern Switzerland while on a six-week trip with his best friend, Joe Williams.

The accident happened at about 5pm on Sunday, July 17, when the two climbers had reached the 11,900ft summit of Mt Collon and were on their way down the west ridge. Mr Williams was not badly hurt.

Mr Ward's parents, David and Cathy Ward, flew out to Switzerland with their daughter, Charlie, 18, and the Williams family to visit the accident spot.

"We have very fond memories of Bertie," said architect Mr Ward, 51.

"If he had to die at least he was with his best friend doing something he enjoyed most of all.

''We have been able to take great comfort in that."

Mrs Ward said: "(Mountaineering) was something that he lived for. It was one of his passions in life. Everybody remembers him as a loving, smiling and happy-go-lucky boy."

Bertie had climbed to Camp Two on Mt Everest while at school at Sedbergh, and during his gap year stayed at the National Mountaineering Centre in Wales.

He was studying at Nottingham Trent University, where he was due to start a psychology and sports science degree in September.

Bertie's mountaineering partner, Mr Williams, managed to climb down the mountain after the accident and was taken to hospital in Sio in Switzerland. He was later discharged.

Mr Ward's family returned home last Wednesday.

His body has been flown back to this country. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

Mr Ward, whose full name was Thomas Christopher Ward, grew up in the village of Langton. He was a former pupil of Woodleigh School in the village.

He was a keen sportsman, he played rugby and was a skilled at skiing, sailing and kayaking, although his passion in life was climbing.

Updated: 15:51 Wednesday, July 27, 2005