Today marks 100 years since the first ascent of Mt Aspiring, New Zealand's highest peak outside the Aoraki-Mt Cook region.

Police have named the man who died after falling during a climb at Chinaman's Bluff in Central Otago on Friday.

The survivor of a "freak accident" spent a night alone on a narrow ledge at an isolated cliff-face knowing his climbing companion had fallen to his death.

Wanaka has exciting boarding and a special ambience, writes Isaac Davison.