‘Swiss Machine’ Ueli Steck killed in Mt Everest accident

More here, though this site is sometimes down:
http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2017/04/30/everest-2017-ueli-steck-dies-on-nuptse/

“Horribly tragic news is coming in that Swiss climber, Ueli Steck, 41, has died on Nuptse near Camp 1 off the Western Cwm. I have received 100% confirmation from multiple sources at Everest. I am told his wife has been notified.

His body was recovered and is now in transport to Kathmandu. Durga Dutta Dhakal DoT Director confirmed the incident and saying his body was now at Lukla

The Himalayan Times posted the news as well.

I was first told by Larry Daugherty climbing with Adventure Ascents, a subsidiary of 7 Summits Treks:

Body found at the base of West Nuptse, climber apparently fell alone and unprotected. Initially it was suspected to be Ueli based on clothing and apparently his acclimatization plan..then they confirmed with my team 10 minutes later it was in fact him.

He was reported climbing alone. The details may never be known but often early report have some details incorrect. Two French climbers were also reported in the general area. Climbers at Camp 1 have reported they saw a person falling off Nuptse.

Ueli had been acclimatizing for an Everest Lhotse traverse. He had already climbed to Camp 2 and then soloed up to the West Ridge.

He preferred to take day climbs from EBC to 7000 meter instead of spending nights at altitude to acclimatize. It can be safely assumed he was doing another acclimatizing run but this time on Nuptse.

In 2013 Russian alpinist Alexey Bolotov died while acclimatizing in the same general area. His climbing partner Denis Urubko said Bolotov was rappelling when his rope was cut by sharp rocks and fell 300 meters down a rock filled ravine.

My deep condolences to all of Ueli’s family, friends and admirers around the world.

This is a truly tragic day in mountaineering.

Alan

Memories are Everything”

Sad indeed. RIP.

Oh no. I loved Ueli but he was a maniac. How sad :(

When you climb at his level, you live in the moment and every day is a good day to die.  He was a peaceful warrior in pursuit of ultimate experience at a level most of us cannot begin to imagine.

He was one in a billion.

I hope others will not try to top what he did.

Here is a useful gathering of reactions from those in the climbing world who knew him:

https://www.outsideonline.com/2179186/world-reacts-ueli-stecks-death