Joe Puryear Killed in Tibet

10/27/10 - Joe Puryear, author of the Alaska Climbing guidebook and also one of America’s most successful Himalayan mountaineers in recent years, has reportedly been killed in a climbing accident in Tibet. According to an email posted at Supertopo.com from Mike Gauthier, a friend and former ranger colleague of Puryear, the climber fell through a cornice on Labuche Kang, the 7,367-meter peak that he was attempting to climb with partner David Gottlieb. Puryear’s partner did not witness the accident, but eventually discovered the body at the foot of the mountain.

In addition to ascending three previously unclimbed major peaks in Nepal over the past two years, Puryear has done dozens of significant climbs in Alaska, the Cascades, Yosemite Valley, the Utah desert, and many other locations around the world. When not climbing, he worked in the marketing department of Sherpa Adventure Gear. The staff of Climbing extends its sincere sympathy to Joe’s wife, Michelle, in Leavenworth, Washington, and to his family and many friends.

More information about the accident can be found here. Read about the Tibet expedition here. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

You can read a touching memorial to Joe here.

Source: Mike Gauthier, through Supertopo.com

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