TrAGEDY ON THE HIMALAYAS: Aussie Climber’s Shocking Death on Treacherous Mountain Peak Prompts Heartbreaking Plea from Family
- A 49-year-old Australian climber has died on a Himalayan mountain in Nepal after falling ill during an expedition.
- The man’s family is now raising money to support Nepalese sherpas, saying they want to “give back to the people he deeply admired”.
- The tragic incident is the third climbing death in the region in recent weeks, sparking concerns over the risks faced by climbers and guides in the Himalayas.
Chin Tark Chan, a 49-year-old Australian climber, has died on a Himalayan mountain in Nepal, prompting a heartfelt plea from his family to support the Nepalese sherpas who risk their lives to make high-altitude expeditions possible.
Chan fell ill on Wednesday while climbing the 7126m Himlung Himal, near the Tibetan border. Despite the efforts of his sherpa guides, who began to help him down the mountain, Chan collapsed and could not be revived.
In a statement on GoFundMe, Chan’s family said: “While no words can ease this loss, we choose to honour Chinny’s memory by giving back to those who make high-altitude expeditions possible — the devoted sherpas of Nepal.”
“Sherpas risk their lives on every climb,” the family added. “Their courage, skill and selflessness make every expedition possible, yet they often work with limited support or protection.”
The family plans to distribute the fundraised money where it is most needed, coordinating with Chan’s friends in Nepal to deliver resources, training, and care to sherpa communities and rescue teams.
This tragedy is the third climbing death in the region in recent weeks, following the deaths of two other climbers on the Dablam mountain late last month. Hugo Lucio Colonia Lazaro, 65, from France, was hit on the head by a falling piece of ice and died in a Kathmandu hospital, while South Korean man Hong Khy Park, 66, collapsed while climbing the mountain and could not be revived.
The risks faced by climbers and guides in the Himalayas are a stark reminder of the dangers involved in high-altitude expeditions. As the climbing community mourns the loss of Chan and the other victims, his family’s plea for support is a poignant tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Nepalese sherpas.