A 40-year-old British fitness fanatic and his 23-year-old guide are missing after an ice mound swept them off the northern slope of Mount Everest on Tuesday.
Daniel Paul Paterson and his Sherpa guide Pas Tenji Sherpa had reached the summit early Tuesday morning, but disaster struck during their descent: An ice collapse near the South Summit knocked the climbers down.
“Eyewitnesses reported the incident took place between Summit Ridge and South Summit and some climbers were swept away in Kangshung Face,” Lakpa Sherpa of 8K Expeditions posted on social media. The missing pair was part of a 15-member team with 8K Expeditions.
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“I have been in the fitness industry and a personal trainer since 2007,” Paterson’s online bio reads. “Within this time I have worked at several leading gyms and worked under many top coaches and trainers... I have been self employed now since 2009 and have opened Physique personal training, Wakefield Crossfit and Millenia Fitness. I love the industry and I live and breathe what I do. I am eternally grateful for what CrossFit has done for my personal development both as a coach and athlete. I would recommend it to anyone.”
Three other climbers who’d been swept away by the ice were later rescued, according to Everest Chronicle, which cited Ngaa Tenji Sherpa, the founder of Summit Force.
Authorities have to wait for the other climbers to descend to learn more about the incident; one of them is expected to reach base camp on Wednesday evening.
“Our dedicated search and rescue teams are deployed on the ground. They are working tirelessly to locate our missing climbers. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this challenging time,” 8K Expeditions said.
Lakpa Sherpa did not respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment on Wednesday. Paterson’s business partner and colleagues at Wakefield CrossFit in West Yorkshire, England did not return messages and emails seeking comment.
However, Paterson’s social media postings suggest his Everest expedition was the culmination of a longtime dream.
“Words mean nothing without actions,” Paterson wrote on April 11, following up with the hashtags: #followyourdreams #climbing #achieve #succeed #dowhatyoulove #dowhatmakesyouhappy #goals #everest #mountains #nepal #amadablam #lhotse #islandpeak #lobouche @8kexpeditions
“The Himalayas is a special place,” he posted two days later.
“Happiest in the mountains,” Paterson posted a day after that.
On May 7, Paterson wrote that he was “[w]aiting impatiently for a summit window.”
At the same time, Paterson was raising money for two young boys and a partner left behind by a friend who died of cancer earlier this year.
“Jen was a truly inspirational lady and will forever live long in our hearts,” said the GoFundMe, which had amassed nearly $13,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. “Jen was a true warrior who throughout her treatment continued to defy all odds with her positive attitude and continued to train hard until she was no longer able to do so. She loved the gym and that meant everything to us. It was her escape from the treatment and the constant bad hands she was dealt but her smile never wavered and we are absolutely honoured to have known her and call her our friend.”
Paterson’s final Instagram dispatch, posted a week ago from Everest base camp, expressed wonder at his surroundings.
“Arriving back into base camp on the 🚁,” Paterson wrote. “Base camp is enormous (1.5miles long) and hosts this year 415 climbers and all Sherpas/porters/kitchen staff/management. It’s literally a mini city at 5,364m high. It takes 8 days for hikers to reach Everest base camp and it’s 32miles from lukla. Porters, Mules, yaks and Helicopters bring everything to this city of tents that caters for everyone staying here. A logistical masterpiece.”
