KANGIQTUGAAPIK/CLYDE RIVER - Attempts to recover the body of an Australian base-jumper who died earlier this month near Clyde River have been called off, according to RCMP.

On May 8, 34-year-old Jim Mitchell died while base-jumping off of Kiguti Mountain in Sam Ford Fiord roughly 100 kilometres northwest of Clyde River. Police were notified about the incident on May 9.

"The impact killed Mr. Mitchell instantly and it becomes a recovery attempt," said RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak.

Base jumping is a sport where individuals jump from fixed objects such as high buildings or cliffs. Akavak said after several attempts by fellow teammates to search for Mitchell's body, they returned to Clyde River. Their efforts were hampered by dangerous conditions including bad weather and difficult terrain.

RCMP said they believe they know where the body is, but Akavak said due to melting snow and wind the body can no longer be seen.

The decision to recover the body sits with the coroner's office, the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the RCMP, said Akavak. The cost of the recovery would be paid for by the GN or the federal government, depending on who led the recovery efforts, Akavak said.

According to Akavak, the equipment needed to recover the body is not available inside the territory and no one has the type of search and rescue training required.

Foul play has been ruled out and the investigation is ongoing.

American adventurer Jimmy Hall died in a similar incident after base jumping from a mountain near Sam Ford Fiord on Baffin Island in May 2007.