Harry Ayres

Horace Henry Ayres (31 July 1912 – 16 July 1987), better known as Harry Herbert Ayres and with his surname sometimes spelled Ayers, was a well-known New Zealand mountaineer and guide.

Early life Ayres was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 31 July 1912 to Ellen Matthews and Henry Ayres. He left school at the age of 12 after his mother died. He then worked on some farms, railroads and roadways.

Mountaineering In 1931, Ayres was introduced to mountaineering by Frank Alack. After five years, Ayres became a guide at the Tongariro National Park. In 1937, he made his first ascent of Aoraki / Mount Cook. He later became the chief ranger at the Mount Cook National Park Board.

He fought in WWII in the Pacific from 1942 to 1944 where he contracted tropical diseases that affected his health significantly.

Ayres Ridge, between Mount Haidinger and Douglas Peak, is named after Ayres.

Personal life He married Catherine May Guise in 1939. In 1948 they divorced and he married Jeanne Ette Cammock in 1949. They had three children. In 1987, Ayres went missing to be found drowned in Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō from expected suicide.