Michael Gardner died in a fall on Jannu East (7,468m), in Nepal’s Kangchenjunga region, on October 7 2024. His climbing partner that day Sam Hennessey was able to descend with the aid of a nearby French party. The pair were attempting a new route on the imposing North Face.
Mike was among the greatest alpinists of our time, pushing the limits beyond what most of us could even conceive as possible.
How the accident happened happened is unclear at this time. A search by drone was not able to locate his body, but some of his belongings have been recovered.
When the best of the best fall, the only positive thing we can take away is the opportunity to be reminded how risky what we choose too can be. Be as safe as you can out there.
Mike shared his plans for a new tattoo on Instagram, once he and Sam completed “the Jeast” (Jannu East): a fierce mapache.
Mapache Style (Raccoon Style)
adjective | ma·pa·che style
- the style of alpine climbing in which you embody the spirit of existing on the fringe
Push into the dark forgotten corners.
Sustain on what you have.
Scrappy to the bitter end.
Life on the fringe. Eat trash, live fast. Mapache for life.—Michael Gardner (Instagram post July 19, 2024)