The rock climber who fell 800 metres to his death in Fiordland National Park was an experienced climber from Canterbury.

Athol Thomas Whimp, 50, of Rangiora, was rock climbing with friends when he fell on the west side of the Homer Saddle about 150m from the Homer Tunnel entrance at 10.30am on Thursday.

His companions walked out to alert emergency services.

Mr Whimp was not wearing a harness when he fell.

Te Anau Constable James Ure says Mr Whimp was a highly regarded and experienced mountain climber.

Mr Whimp was born and raised in Rangiora but had spent the last 20 years living in Australia.

He was on holiday at the time of the incident.

The two friends that were with Mr Whimp were also experienced climbers and had received help from Victim Support, Const Ure says.

An Alpine Search and Rescue team recovered his body with the help of a helicopter on Friday afternoon.

Cloud and rain had stopped the team from recovering his body earlier.