They were highly experienced and well equipped for a snowboarding adventure, but alone near the top of Victoria's highest peak, mates Martin Buckland and Daniel Kerr stood no chance of surviving an avalanche.
The search for the missing men ended on Tuesday morning when the body of Mr Buckland, 33, was found buried in 1.5 metres of snow high up Mount Bogong, an imposing 1986-metre peak in Victoria's high country.
His body was found about 60 metres from Mr Kerr's, which was found on Monday morning in four metres of snow.
The friends failed to return from their snowboarding trip for a family function on Saturday.
Inspector David Ryan of Wangaratta police said the discovery was sad for Mr Buckland's loved ones and rescuers.
"It's a tragic end to what has been a long and protracted search and a lot of time of uncertainty for the family," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"Martie has a wife and child. She's holding up pretty well. She's a very strong and courageous young lady."
The dead men first met in year seven, worked in the sport and recreation field and had been on many similar tips together, a joint statement from their families said.
Mr Buckland was an outdoor education teacher at Caulfield Grammar School's Yarra Junction campus, east of Melbourne.
The principal, Rev Andrew Syme said Mr Buckland was a "much admired and highly professional" teacher who was well-known to many students.
"Martie as he is known, was a highly respected and much loved member of the small and close-knit team of staff at the Yarra Junction campus," he said in a statement.
"He was an incredibly positive person with a wonderful zest for life and had a significant impact on the many students he came into contact with."
Police now face the difficult task of removing Mr Buckland's body, which should take place overnight in worsening weather conditions on the treacherous alpine slope.
"It will be a lot of brute strength and ropes to slide the sled up to the top, and then it will have to be carried out," Insp Ryan said.
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