A mountaineer from Colorado died after falling from one of Nepal's famous peaks.
Professional mountaineer Michael Gardner died on Monday during his second attempt to climb the north face of Jannu East in Nepal, which rises to a height of almost 7,000 meters.
The 32-year-old was with his long-time climbing partner, Sam Hennessey, at the time. Gardner was described by his sponsor, Arc'teryx, as a “true climber” with an Instagram tribute to him.
Professional mountaineer Michael Gardner died on Monday during his second attempt to climb the north face of Jannu East in Nepal
Nepal's Jannu East, which is located at an altitude of almost 25,000 feet
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that earlier this week our dear friend and Arc'teryx athlete, Michael Gardner, died while climbing Jannu East in the mountains of Nepal,” reads the post, which added that the company “appreciates the information ” that Hennessey came down safely.
“His passion was sharing his missions and goals, as if to say, 'see how much fun we had?' and I invite you to enter this dream with him,” the post continued.
The lengthy tribute further added that it would take “pages and pages” to list his achievements, noting: “It is, above all, who Mike was, as someone who would make a lasting impact on us and undoubtedly on our community.”
While descending the mountain after the incident, Hennessey reportedly ran into a French climbing team who unsuccessfully assisted in the search for Gardner's body.
During their seven-year climbing partnership, Gardner and Sam Hennessey 'have compiled an incredible list of standard-breaking climbs'
Gardner was a second-generation guide for Exum, which boasts the oldest guiding service in North America and one of the youngest guides in America
In a recent September Instagram post, Gardner wrote: “Between trips felt like a short summer season. But my cup is full and I'm ready for the next chapter. I had a lot of sun, good times and contacts with family and friends
They failed to locate him using drones and foot searches, and all they found was some of his personal equipment under his face.
Details of his fall remain unclear Climbing magazine reported.
During their seven-year climbing partnership, Gardner and Hennessey “made an incredible list of standard-breaking climbs”, Beyond Reported.
According to the pair, they made a second ascent of Light Traveler on Denali's southwest face, climbing from their 7,200-foot camp to the summit in just 36 hours. Exum Mountain Guides website.
According to Climbing Magazine, this route was successfully climbed in 2001 by Stephen Kock and Marjo Prezelj, who reached the summit in 51 hours from their camp at 5,100 meters.
Gardner spent five seasons skiing competitively, led 12 ascents of Denali, including a blind climber, and made more than 150 ascents of Grand Teton.
Gardner was a second-generation guide for Exum, which touts itself as the oldest guiding company in North America. He was one of the youngest guides in America. He started his first mountain expeditions at the age of eight.
According to Arc'teryx, he was born in Ridgeway, Colorado and has participated in skiing and climbing expeditions on every continent.
He spent most of his childhood following his father from the “Tetons to Nepal and everywhere in between” before his dad died in an accident while solo climbing the Grand Teton in 2008, when Gardner was just 16 years old.
According to Climbing Magazine, Gardner is survived by his mother Colleen and sister Megan.
Olympic snowboarder Elena Hight shared a tribute on Instagram with photos of the couple kissing
“I feel happy that you love me, Mikey. “This is truly the greatest gift I have ever received,” Hight said
Olympic snowboarder Elena Hight shared a tribute on Instagram with photos of the couple kissing.
She wrote: “Although our months together were short, the days seemed precious, long and full. We fell in love very quickly. Faster than any of us expected.
She described their time together as “Neverland,” saying it “felt like magic.”
“I feel happy that you love me, Mikey. This is truly the greatest gift I have ever received,” Hight added.
Atomic Skis, an equipment company that Gardner tagged in his Instagram bio, said that every interaction with him “was like a gift” and that “his love and passion for the mountains was truly contagious.”
In a recent September Instagram post, Gardner wrote: “Between trips felt like a short summer season. But my cup is full and I'm ready for the next chapter. I had lots of sun, good times and contacts with family and friends.”
“Mike was an optimist and lived a brave life. His legacy will be eternal thanks to the souls he touched and the limitations he refused to acknowledge,” said Arc'teryx, who sponsored the climber
“I'm so excited and grateful to be able to hit the big hills with my buddy again. Wind Teeth,” he said.
The mountaineer's friends also posted on social media.
“You were larger than life, my brother. A ray of strength within and without, with a unique ability to uplift those around her and an unparalleled level of humility,” one wrote.
“We have lost not only a mountaineer, but one of the greatest mountaineers of our generation. Your spirit will forever be a part of these mountains and your legacy will continue to inspire us all,” wrote another.
