Conservationist North Face clothing brand founder Douglas Tompkins has died after a kayaking accident in southern Chile.

He had been kayaking with five other people on General Carrera Lake when heavy waves capsized the boats on Tuesday.

Tompkins was flown to the Coyhaique Regional Hospital with severe hypothermia, where he was later confirmed dead.

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Local prosecutor Pedro Salgado told Chilean radio station Bio Bio the lake was known for its unpredictable conditions, and Tompkins spent a “considerable amount of time in waters under 4 degrees Celsius.”

Tompkins will be remembered for his conservation work and his retail success. He was an avid explorer, and had been skiing, hiking and mountaineering for most of his life.

“He flew airplanes, he climbed to the top of mountains all over the world,” said his daughter, Summer Tompkins Walker.

“To have lost his life in a lake and have nature just sort of gobble him up is just shocking.”

Tompkins co-founded the North Face outdoor clothing brand with first wife Susie Buell Tompkins in 1964. The pair later helped create lifestyle clothing brand Esprit.

He sold his stake in Esprit in 1990 and moved to South America with his second wife, Kris McDivitt Tompkins, to concentrate on conservation efforts.

Tompkins bought around 2.2 million acres of Chilean and Argentinean land and turned them into parks and protected reserves.

The largest, Pumalin Park, covers 2,900 square kilometres of forest, lakes and fjords.

Tompkins also worked to raise awareness of local environmental issues, drawing the ire of conservative Chilean politicians.

“Doug was a passionate advocate for the environment,” said The North Face in a statement.

“His legacy of conservation will help ensure that there are outdoor spaces to be explored for generations to come.”