An experienced American mountaineer has died after being caught in an avalanche on Mount Makalu in Nepal, with her partner cradling her in her final moments. Shelley Johannesen, 53, a mother-of-three and co-founder of adventure company Dash Adventures, was descending from the summit of the world's fifth-highest peak when the avalanche struck at around 24,000 feet.
Her partner, David Ashley, who was climbing alongside her with two Nepali guides, confirmed the devastating news in a statement shared on social media. He wrote: 'She died in my arms high on the mountain due to injuries sustained by an avalanche.' Ashley later described the grief following her death as 'utterly soul crushing'.
Ms Johannesen had been documenting her expedition online in the days before the climb. In what became her final public post, she described waiting for a safe weather window at Makalu Base Camp and said she was 'healthy and ready to go' with her team. 'This is going to be a tough climb,' she wrote. 'Different than Everest and I am excited to see, experience, feel what I have to offer this mountain.'
According to expedition officials in Nepal, Johannesen had only recently reached the summit before the avalanche struck while descending near the mountain's third camp. She later died while receiving medical treatment on the mountain before her body was flown to Kathmandu. Ashley said he was now arranging cremation services in Nepal in line with Johannesen's wishes before planning a memorial service in the United States with her family.
In a further update posted last night, Ashley revealed he had reached out for professional help as he struggled to process the loss. 'I've reached out to a mental health/grief counsellor today. Thank you all for checking in,' he wrote. 'Despair can be a deeper hole than I ever imagined. But there is a bottom. And I can feel myself coming back up again.'
Makalu, which stands at 27,838 feet, is considered one of the world's most technically difficult mountains due to its steep pitches and unpredictable weather conditions. The tragedy came just months after Ashley launched a fundraising campaign linked to the Makalu expedition, describing his goal of becoming the first living kidney donor to attempt climbing the peak.
