A millionaire father of three has died after participating in an extreme endurance event that required him to climb a Wyoming mountain six times in quick succession. Slava Leykin, 43, from Westport, Connecticut, passed away on July 2 at a hospital in Idaho, days after attempting the 'Everesting' challenge at Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole.
The challenge involves climbing a total of 29,029 feet – the approximate height of Mount Everest – within 36 hours. Participants are expected to scale Snow King Mountain 19 times, with each ascent followed by a gondola ride back to base camp. Leykin managed six ascents before feeling unwell.
Jackson Hole Fire and EMS were called to the mountain at 11.28pm on June 27 to provide medical assistance. Teton County Coroner Brent Blue said Leykin died from 'an electrolyte imbalance causing cardiac arrest'. Athletes in extreme exertion can develop hyponatremia, a condition caused by low sodium levels, which can be triggered by drinking too much water during or after exercise.
Leykin, who emigrated from the USSR to the US in 1988, worked at New York-based investment firm CG Sawaya Partners for 20 years. His obituary described him as a 'perfect soulmate' to his wife Amy and 'superhuman father' to their three children.
