Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay (82), a former Nepalese minister, died today on the way to Camp 1, at the height of 6,400 metres.

Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay joined the Indian National Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942. He also served as Nepal’s ambassador to the United Nations from 1972 to 1978 and became minister of foreign affairs from 1986 to 1990. He had climbed 6,467-metre Mera Peak and 6,160-metre Island Peak as preparation for Everest and he had also undergone the training regime. Had Upadhyay succeeded in making his dream come true, he would have surpassed the world record of Min Bahadur Sherchan, who scaled the peak at the age of 76 in 2008.

It is wrong that I find this headline inspiring ? Much better than say "82 year old dies alone in a nursing home".

I agree.

Can't say I support much of what he stood for, but he went out with style.

Here's to Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay and everyone who doesn't let age or fear stand in the way of their heart's desire.

I met a 72 yo a few years back at iceberg Lake. He was planning to lead the East Face of Whitney the next day with his 56 yo trophy wife. They ended-up bailing, but it was pretty cool that this couple was going after such a sweet prize. I was pretty inspired by them. This guy.. not so much. He was just playing mountaineering Russian Roulette and the third pull of the trigger got him.

Hyadventure wrote:He was just playing mountaineering Russian Roulette and the third pull of the trigger got him.

Menglungste, North Face of Devil's Thumb, K2, GIV = Mountaineering Russian Roulette. The trek to Everest base camp= not so much.

ExcitableBoy wrote:

Hyadventure wrote:He was just playing mountaineering Russian Roulette and the third pull of the trigger got him.

Menglungste, North Face of Devil's Thumb, K2, GIV = Mountaineering Russian Roulette. The trek to Everest base camp= not so much.

Minor point, but camp 1 is higher than the base camp.

ExcitableBoy wrote:

Hyadventure wrote:He was just playing mountaineering Russian Roulette and the third pull of the trigger got him.

Menglungste, North Face of Devil's Thumb, K2, GIV = Mountaineering Russian Roulette. The trek to Everest base camp= not so much.

When you're 82 driving to Seven Eleven for a Slurpee is dangerous. BTY - it wasn't too long ago that 1 in 10 climbers died on Everest.

Everest y Lhotse, un mundo de contrastes: http://desnivel.com/expediciones/everes ... contrastes