Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a skier who died after plunging into a gully in the Cairngorms.
The family of Sam Burns have been informed of the tragic discovery on Saturday, police said.
He was described as ‘a very fit and hugely experienced mountaineer and skier’ and somebody with ‘huge energy and enthusiasm’.
Police had earlier warned they were ‘increasingly concerned’ for Mr Burns, 40, from Aviemore, who was backcountry skiing alone on Friday morning.
In a statement, Brendan Hughes, president of the Inverness Backcountry Snowsports Club, told fellow members: ‘It is with great sadness I have to tell you that club member Sam Burns lost his life whilst ski touring in the Northern Cairngorms.
‘Sam was reported overdue by friends and he was found after a search involving Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, RAF Mountain Rescue and the HM Coastguard helicopter.
‘Sam was a very fit and hugely experienced mountaineer and skier and had just in the last 12 months made a number of very significant achievements in the mountains, both on club trips and out with others.
‘He was both highly competent and capable in the mountains and one of the club’s leading lights.
‘I know many of you will have questions, but now is the time for us to mourn the loss of a great friend and celebrate a life lived very much to the full.
‘As a club we will look for an appropriate way to remember Sam, but for now if you want to help, please make a donation to Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team or to your local mountain rescue team directly or via Scottish Mountain Rescue.
‘With the deepest respect and sympathy to all of those who knew Sam. He will be missed.’
Mr Burns’s sister Amy Tarren wrote in reply: ‘Sending thanks and love to all who knew Sam.
‘He was my brother and it brings comfort to hear these words about him.
‘We will be forever grateful for the joy he found in this community, as well as the efforts of the mountain rescue team and his friends.’
A police spokesman said: ‘There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.’
The Scottish ski season got underway at Glencoe Mountain last week.
Meanwhile, a hillwalker who fell more than 650ft from a Scots mountain is a walking ‘miracle’ after surviving the plunge with just minor injuries.
The man, who is in his 20s and from Edinburgh, slipped on ice on 3,632ft-high Stob Coire nam Beith.
His companion, also in his 20s, raised the alarm and 14 members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team were scrambled to help the pair.
Deputy team leader Brian Bathurst said: ‘It is a miracle how this guy survived. We can’t get our heads around it. He fell over 200 metres [656ft].’