American climber dies on world's fifth-highest peak in Nepal
The world's fifth-highest mountain, Makalu's peak is 8,463 m (28,000 ft) high, compared to Mount Everest, the tallest peak, at a height of 8,849 m (29,032 ft).
Alexander Pancoe, 39, died on Sunday while settling into his sleeping bag at the mountain's second high camp, after returning from an acclimatisation trip at the higher camp three, expedition organiser Madison Mountaineering said.
"Alex suddenly became unresponsive," the company said on its website. "Despite hours of resuscitation efforts ... they were unable to revive him." Nepal's tourism department said it was arranging to bring the body to Kathmandu, the capital.
Pancoe, who survived a brain tumor when younger, had completed the Explorer's Grand Slam - climbing the highest peaks on each of the seven continents and then skiing to both the North and South Poles.
He had been battling chronic myeloid leukemia and was attempting to climb Makalu to raise funds for the pediatric blood cancer programme of the Chicago-based Lurie Children's Hospital, said expedition leader Garrett Madison.
He had already raised $1 million to help fund clinical trials and other programs there, Madison added.
In April, a Nepali sherpa died on Mount Annapurna, the world's 10th highest mountain.
Wedged between India and China, landlocked Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest, and its economy is heavily reliant on climbing, trekking, and tourism for foreign exchange.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Free eye camp, spectacle distribution for Nepali community held
MUSCAT: The Embassy of Nepal in Muscat, in collaboration with Badr Al Samaa Hospital and Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS), organised a free eye check-up and spectacle distribution camp on June 27. Doctors from Badr Al Samaa Hospital carried out the examinations, providing free plus-powered spectacles on the spot. For those requiring minus-powered lenses, glasses will be prepared in Nepal and distributed later at no cost, based on individual needs. This marks the first time NNJS has partnered with the Embassy to conduct free eye examinations and distribute spectacles abroad. In addition to eye check-ups, the camp also offered free blood sugar and blood pressure tests to attendees. Assoc Prof Dr Puspa Giri Shrestha, Chief Medical Director, NNJS and Sameer P T, CEO of Badr Al Samaa Hospital, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Dornath Aryal, Ambassador of Nepal, sharing commitment to community health. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the hospital and the Embassy. Earlier, Prof Dr Shrestha met Dr Nasra al Habsi, Head of the Ophthalmology Department, Al Nahdha Hospital, in coordination with Oman's Foreign Ministry and discussed sharing best practices in eye care and exploring future cooperation between Nepal and Oman in ophthalmology. These recent initiatives, represent important milestones in advancing medical cooperation between the two countries. They are expected to pave the way for further exchange of expertise and more community-focused medical camps in the future. Nepal Embassy and Badr Al Samaa Hospital had earlier signed an agreement to deliver healthcare services to the Nepali community in Oman.
Observer
22-06-2025
- Observer
Former England bowler Lawrence dead at 61
LEEDS, United Kingdom: David 'Syd' Lawrence, the first British-born black cricketer to play for England, has died at the age of 61, it was announced on Sunday. Nearly a year ago it was revealed that Gloucestershire fast bowler Lawrence, who took 18 wickets in five Tests between 1988 and 1992, had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, an incurable illness, which progressively damages parts of the nervous system. A statement from Lawrence's family given to Britain's PA news agency said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE following his brave battle with motor neurone disease." Lawrence bagged a five-wicket haul against the West Indies in 1991 to help England seal a series-levelling win at the Oval, with Desmond Haynes and Vivian Richards among the batsmen he dismissed. But his career all but ended the following year with a sickening injury when he shattered his kneecap running into bowl during a Test against New Zealand in Wellington. That was the end of his time with England, although he made a brief comeback for Bristol-based Gloucestershire, playing four four-first class games in 1997 before retiring for good after taking 625 wickets for the county. He later became president of Gloucestershire, with his old county saying in a social media post on Sunday that they were "devastated" to learn of Lawrence's death. Following his MND diagnosis, there were emotional scenes when Gloucestershire won the T20 Blast final at Edgbaston last year, with captain James Bracey presenting the trophy to Lawrence. His MND diagnosis also hastened Lawrence's autobiography amid fears he would lose the ability to speak. Titled 'In Syd's Voice', and written with the help of cricket journalist Dean Wilson, the book was published this month. England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson hailed Lawrence as a "true trailblazer" who became a "powerful voice for inclusion and representation in our sport". There was a minute's applause in honour of Lawrence before the start of the third day's play in the first Test between England and India at Headingley on Sunday, with players and officials also wearing black armbands as a mark of respect. — AFP
Observer
11-06-2025
- Observer
Charity accuses Israel of deadly strike on Gaza office
PARIS: Medical charity Medecins du Monde on Wednesday accused Israel of violating international law with drone strikes on a building housing one of its offices in war-torn Gaza that killed eight people, none of them staff. The France-based aid group said in a statement the attack on Tuesday "constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which protects both civilian populations and humanitarian organisations operating in conflict zones". The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Yesterday morning, at around 11:00 am local time, a building in Deir Al Balah housing a Medecins du Monde office was attacked by drones," the aid group said. Its staff had not been present as they had been off as part of the Eid Al Adha holiday, it added. "At least eight people were killed in the bombardment. All were on the last floor of the building," it said, without providing more details on those killed. "Medecins du Monde had informed the Israeli military of the presence of its office, which had officially been declared 'deconflicted', or shielded from Israeli military attacks under humanitarian coordination agreements," it said. "However, as during previous Israeli attacks, the team received no forward warning that would have allowed it to evacuate the building or take measures to protect anyone inside," it added. Several other non-governmental organisations as well as Palestinians displaced by the war are based in the same area, it said. Israel is facing mounting pressure to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, whose entire population the United Nations has warned is at risk of famine. Medecins du Monde last month, after more than two months of a total blockade on Gaza, accused Israel of using hunger as "a weapon of war" in the Palestinian territory. Israel recently allowed some deliveries to resume through the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. But the United Nations refuses to work with it, citing concerns over its practices and neutrality. Dozens of people have been killed near GHF distribution points since late May, according to Gaza's civil defence agency. It said Israeli forces killed 31 people waiting for aid early on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Gaza civil defence agency said Israeli forces opened fire on people waiting to enter a US-backed food distribution centre on Wednesday, killing dozens and wounding "about 200". "We transported at least 31 martyrs and about 200 wounded as a result of Israeli tank and drone fire on thousands of citizens... on their way to receive food from the American aid centre," civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said. Restrictions imposed on media in the Gaza Strip and the difficulties of access on the ground mean AFP is not able to independently verify the death tolls announced by the civil defence agency. Bassal said thousands of Palestinians had been gathering since 2 am (2300 GMT Tuesday) in the hope of reaching the US and Israeli-backed food distribution centre. "Israeli tanks fired several times, then at around 5:30 am intensified their fire, coinciding with heavy fire from drones targeting civilians," he said. Mohammad Abu Salima, head of Gaza City's Al Shifa Hospital, said that it had received the bodies of 24 people killed while waiting to enter the aid centre and was treating 96 who had been wounded. Al Awda Hospital, in Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, said in a statement that it had received seven bodies and was treating 112 people who had been wounded in the same incident. — AFP
