Ueli Steck has died in a fall near Mt. Everest. Photo: Facebook
Ueli Steck, the 41-year-old alpinist known as the “Swiss Machine” for his speed ascents in the Alps and Himalayas, died Sunday, April 30th, in a fall near Mount Everest. Steck was preparing to climb a new route on Everest without supplemental oxygen when the fall occurred. According to Reuters, he fell 1,000 meters, or just over 3,000 feet, near Nuptse. His body has been recovered.
“I think he slipped from the ice wall. I received the news from the tourism department as well as from basecamp”, Ang Tsering Sherpa, founder of Asian Trekking, told The Outdoor Journal.
“The family is infinitely sad and asks the media to refrain from speculation about the circumstances of his death due to respect for Ueli,” reads a statement on Steck’s website. “As soon as there are reliable findings on the causes of Ueli Steck’s death, the media will be informed. The family asks the media for understanding that they will not provide any further information at this time.”
During this season in the Himalaya, Steck was hoping to undertake what may have been the boldest alpine climb of all time: an alpine-style link-up of Everest and Lhotse. In this video, Steck describes his vision for that never-before-attempted enchainment.
A week ago, Steck posted to Facebook an optimistic report of the conditions on Everest.
A two-time winner of alpinism’s top award, the Piolet D’or, Steck is perhaps best known for his speed solo of the North Face of the Eiger that clocked in at two hours and forty-seven minutes.
Climbers took to Instagram to post tributes to one of the greatest alpinists and soloists of all time, like this one from Alex Honnold:
