A Colorado mountain climber has died after falling from one of Nepal’s famous peaks.
Professional mountaineer Michael Gardner fell to his death Monday during his second attempt to climb Nepal’s Jannu East north face, which stands at nearly 80,000 feet.
The 32-year-old was with his old climbing partner Sam Hennessey at the time. Gardner was described as a “true climber” by his sponsor, Arc’teryx, who shared a tribute to him on Instagram.
Professional mountaineer Michael Gardner fell to his death on Monday during his second attempt to climb the north face of Jannu East in Nepal
Nepal’s Jannu East, which stands at almost 80,000 feet
“We are deeply saddened to share that our dear friend and Arc’teryx athlete Michael Gardner passed away earlier this week while climbing Jannu East in the mountains of Nepal,” read the message, which added that the company “ was grateful to report’ that Hennessey descended safely.
‘His passion was to share his missions and goals as if to say, “See what a good time we had?” and invite you to step into the dream with him,” the post continued.
The lengthy tribute further added that it would take “pages and pages” to list his achievements, noting: “Above all, it is who Mike was as a person that has had a lasting impact on us, and undoubtedly on our community , will leave behind.’
On the way to the mountain after the incident, Hennessey reportedly encountered a French climbing team, who helped search for Gardner’s body to no avail.
During their seven-year climbing partnership, Gardner and Sam Hennessey had ‘collected an otherworldly list of standard climbs’
Gardner was a second-generation guide for Exum, which bills itself as the oldest guiding service in North America, and was one of the youngest guides in America
In Gardner’s final Instagram post from September, he wrote, “It felt like a short summer season between expeditions. But my cup is full and I’m ready for the next chapter. I had lots of sun, good times and connections with family and friends’
A drone and foot search also failed to locate him, and all they found was some of his personal equipment under the face.
The details surrounding his fall remain unclear. Climbing magazine reported.
During their seven-year climbing partnership, Gardner and Hennessey had “collected an otherworldly list of standard climbs,” Outside reported.
The pair made the second ascent of Light Traveler on the southwest side of Denali, climbing from their camp at 7,000 feet to the summit in just 36 hours, according to the Exum mountain guides website.
The route was successfully climbed in 2001 by Stephen Kock and Marjo Prezelj, who, according to Climbing Magazine, took 51 hours to reach the summit from their camp at 14,200 feet.
Gardner spent five seasons skiing competitively, guiding 12 Denali climbs, including a blind climber, and making more than 150 ascents of Grand Teton.
Gardner was a second-generation guide for Exum, which bills itself as the oldest guiding service in North America. He was one of the youngest guides in America, having embarked on his first mountain treks at the age of eight.
He was born in Ridgeway, Colorado, according to the Arc’teryx, and has made 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 father died in an accident while soloing the Grand Teton in 2008, when Gardner was just was 16 years old.
Gardner is survived by his mother, Colleen, and sister, Megan, according to Climbing Magazine.
Olympic snowboarder Elena Hight shared a tribute on Instagram with photos of the couple kissing
“I feel so lucky to be loved by you, Mikey. It is truly the greatest gift I will ever receive [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 felt precious, long, and so full. We fell in love so quickly. Faster than either of us realized.”
She described their time together as “Neverland” and said it “felt like magic.”
“I feel so lucky to be loved by you, Mikey. It is truly the greatest gift I will ever receive [have] ever received,” Hight added.
Atomic Skis, a gear company that tagged Gardner in his Instagram bio, said every interaction with him “felt like a gift” and that “his love and passion for the mountains were truly contagious.”
In Gardner’s final Instagram post from September, he wrote, “It felt like a short summer season between expeditions. But my cup is full and I’m ready for the next chapter. I had a lot of sun, good times and good contacts with family and friends.’
“Mike was an optimist who lived a big, daring life. His legacy will be eternal through the souls he touched and the limits he refused to acknowledge,” said Arc’teryx, which sponsored the climber.
“So excited and grateful to be heading back into the big hills with my guy. Teeth against the wind,” he said.
Friends of the climber also posted tributes on social media.
“You were larger than life, my brother. A beacon of strength within and without, with your unique ability to uplift everyone around you, and a level of humility that was unparalleled,” wrote one.
“We have lost not just a climber, 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.