Deaths in the Mountains

Climbing is a dangerous sport. Almost every periodical, website and piece of literature includes disclaimers and warnings about the dangers. Almost every casual conversation amongst climbers eventually leads to the death of a friend or high profile individual. Almost every conversation about Everest includes the '96 deaths. K2 chats include the deaths of the women climbers. And now Makalu will almost certainly include the apparent death of Jean Lafaille. The news is widely reported that he is presumed dead high on Makalu after going silent for a few days. A helicopter reconnaissance found his tent but no sign of life. A dim hope remains that he will emerge just like he did after disappearing for 5 days on Annapurna.

While the world-class, most courageous climbers such as Alex Lowe, Anatoli Boukreev, Scott Fischer or Rob Hall receives the attention they deserve, there are more climbers who die silent deaths only to be mourned by their families and close friends. Everest 2005: Marko Lihteneker, Mike O'Brien, Sean Eagan, Robert Milne and more. In 2006, we have seen deaths on Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Ben Nevis plus many more not widely reported but felt just the same.

Mountaineering, alpine, rock and ice climbing are such wonderful challenges. They test each individual to their core. Lessons are taken home after each experience. And experience is built. Sometimes death can be avoided but most times it simply comes.

So this week the climbing community mourns the loss of Jean-Christophe Lafaille. And let's also remember all the others.