The stepfather of 24-year-old David Evans said the family had happy video images of David and his friend James Brownhill driving through France at the start of their holidays, taken just days before they both died.
David, a former pupil at the Bluecoat School in Wavertree and 22-year-old James, a university friend from Sheffield, are believed to have fallen more than 2,500ft to their deaths.
The pair were tackling a peak known as the Aiguille du Midi, close to the well known mountain town and ski resort of Chamonix, when tragedy struck.
Speaking from the family home in south Liverpool David’s stepfather Jim Milne said “We have video taken just ten days ago of David and his friend driving through France. You will never see two happier kids just heading off on their holidays.”
He said David acquired a love of climbing while a cadet at Speke Garston Air Training Corps (ATC) and later joined mountaineering and canoeing clubs at Manchester Metropolitan University
He graduated last year, winning the engineering departmental prize and took a year out while his fiancee was doing work experience in London.
Despite this he held down four jobs from his adopted home in Manchester working in a snow and rock shop and as a canoe and climbing instructor in outdoor pursuits centres.
He completed the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for a Merseyside school and in recent months had moved on to European ranges including some in Germany.
David leaves behind his mum Ann, dad George, sister Rachael, 21, who graduated from Newcastle University yesterday, and twin brother and sister Louise and Michael, 13.
Jim said: “David was an absolute gem of a man, a shooting star, who didn’t have a bad word to say about anybody.
“He was never in any kind of trouble and he never offended anybody.
“He was a gentle guy with a heart of gold who loved his brothers and sisters like you wouldn’t believe.”
Following the July 1 accident tributes have been given by those who taught him.
Debbie Silcock, headteacher at the Bluecoat, said: “It is so sad that a talented and generous young man has had his life cut short by a tragic accident.
“Our hearts and sympathy go out to David’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
David attended the school between 1998 and 2005.
Staff remembered him as a “quiet and happy” student who was well-liked and a keen sportsman.
Head of department Dr Warren Manning said: “David was an excellent student. His 2:1 engineering degree was down to hard work and perseverance.
“He showed great maturity and was an excellent thinker when faced with a problem.
“He could have become a great engineer.”
The Mont Blanc mountain range is among the most dangerous climbs in the world, claiming 58 lives in 2010.
David’s family have asked for donations to the Chamonix Mountain Rescue in lieu of flowers at his funeral service, which is to take place at St James’s Methodist Church, Woolton, at 10am tomorrow.
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