A FORMER Lake District mountain rescue volunteer plunged 150ft to his death at one of the world’s most popular climbing destinations.

Outdoor loving Michael Machell, 23, fell at Cascade Falls at Lake Tahoe, California, after slipping while preparing for an ice-climbing trip with friends.

Greg Almos, El Dorado County deputy sheriff, said: “The way it was described to us, he was at the top preparing to set some anchors and slipped on ice.”

A spokesman for El Dorado County Search and Rescue said although there had not been significant snowfall in the region, there had been a lot of ice in rural areas like Cascade Falls.

Mr Machell was an experienced climber who had helped save lives in the Lake District, completing 170 rescues with the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team (LAMRT).

He graduated from the University of Cumbria last year with a first class honours degree in outdoor professional practice and was in America to study for a year at Berkeley University, California.

LAMRT team leader and friend Nick Owen said Mr Machell ‘absolutely lived for the mountains’.

“Michael was a great friend, a regular climbing partner, and a committed team member,” said Mr Owen. “His energy and boundless enthusiasm was infectious.

“He absolutely loved mountains and anything to do with them and encouraged other people to get out and about.”

Mr Machell joined LAMRT as a trainee in 2008, working his way up to be a full-time member until he left for the States last year.

Mr Owen told how he had helped save a woman’s life after she was found unconscious at Bowfell in freezing weather in November, 2010.

The weather was so severe that three helicopters called in to help had to retreat, meaning mountain rescuers had to get her off the fell.

“It was quite urgent to get her to medical care,” said Mr Owen. “Michael was there driving the stretcher and motivating people to keep moving – he played a fairly significant role that day.”

Staff at the University of Cumbria’s Ambleside campus spoke highly of a ‘first class’ student.

He graduated with a first class degree in outdoor professional practice and gained a distinction in outdoor studies.

Dr Liz Mallabon, senior lecturer, said staff were ‘deeply shocked’ to hear of the death of ‘a well-liked and respected student’.

“He was a first class student with a genuine energy for life and the outdoors, which he couldn't help but share with those around him.”

Dr Mallabon said Mr Machell asked challenging questions in lectures and helped fellow students develop their map reading and climbing skills.

She added: “If there was an opportunity on offer Mike would grab it - it was a pleasure to have taught him.”

Glowing tributes were also paid on a Facebook group set up by his twin brother, Alex.

Friend Tom Allanson composed a piece of music in memory of Mr Machell, which he posted on the page.

He wrote: “Throughout my school life I was always competing with Mike to be the best and it was this strong competition and friendship that made me the person I am today.”

Philip Marsh described Mr Machell as a ‘good friend’ who ‘everyone got on well with’.

“We shared some good times in and around Ambleside,” he wrote.

And in an emotional tribute, his father Paul wrote: “Words can’t describe how I feel with the tragic loss of my ‘little Mic’. If you’re online in heaven, and I bet you are, see how many people loved you.”

Mr Owen said LAMRT would fund-raise as a tribute to Mr Machell with plans for a permanent memorial in the pipeline.

“We are collecting donations in his memory, which will be used to buy some equipment,” he said.