A renowned U.S. mountain guide has achieved the rare Mount Everest region “triple crown” of climbing the Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse peaks in one season, a hiking firm said on Friday, as the season’s death toll on the world’s highest mountain hit 12. Garrett Madison, 44, climbed Lhotse, the world’s fourth tallest peak at 8,516 meters (27,939 feet) on Thursday, a day after he made his 13th ascent of Everest, at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), said Ishwari Paudel of the Himalayan Guides company, which is helping Madison with logistics. Madison, who owns the company Madison Mountaineering based in Seattle, climbed the smaller but technically difficult Nuptse peak, at 7,855 meters (25,770 feet), on May 8. After scaling Nuptse, Madison posted to Instagram on May 10 with the caption: “We reached the true summit of Nuptse, the neighboring peak of Everest & Lhotse, at 7855m/25,764 ft. Previously, only 22 climbers have ever reached this summit according to the Himalayan database.” After scaling Nuptse, Madison posted to Instagram on May 10 with the caption: “We reached the true summit of Nuptse, the neighboring peak of Everest & Lhotse, at 7855m/25,764 ft. Previously, only 22 climbers have ever reached this summit according to the Himalayan database.” From Garrett Madison/Instagram “It is very difficult to climb all three peaks in a single season and only a few other mountaineers have done it,” Paudel said. Separately, Department of Tourism official Khim Lal Gautam said Canadian national Petrus Albertyn Swart, 63, who fell sick in the “death zone” while going to the Everest summit died on Thursday, taking the season’s total death toll on the mountain to 12. At least three other climbers are missing or out of contact. Hiking company official Paudel said Madison was accompanied by three sherpa climbers on all three peaks. “We are extremely proud of the team and this tremendous accomplishment,” Madison said on his company website. Madison posted to his Instagram on May 10 after scaling Nuptse. Madison posted to his Instagram on May 10 after scaling Nuptse.
From Garrett Madison/Instagram British climber Kenton Cool, who climbed the triple crown in 2013, said Garrett was an “unflappable expedition leader” who quietly goes about his job. “When I climbed what became known as the Triple Crown in one season I said it wouldn’t be done again for 10 years,” Cool told Reuters in a text message. “I’m happy now that 10 years later it’s Garrett who has managed to achieve the same feat … bravo!!” Cool, 49, last week set a new record of 17 summits of Everest, the world’s highest peak, by a foreign climber. A Nepali, Kami Rita Sherpa, this week climbed Everest for a 28th time, the most by any mountaineer. PAID CONTENT Girl who died in Florida sand hole while digging with her brother at beach identified Girl who died in Florida sand hole while digging with her brother at beach identified NewsBreak App [Photos] Anthony Bourdain Died In His 60s – Reason Explained Anthony Bourdain Died In His 60s – Reason Explained Last Night On Firefighter Who Heard Princess Diana’s Final Words Opened Up What Really Happened To Her Before Her Passing Firefighter Who Heard Princess Diana’s Final Words Opened Up What Really Happened To Her Before Her Passing Last Night On [Photos] He Kept His Secret Of Being An LGBTQIA+ For A Long Time – Here’s Why He Kept His Secret Of Being An LGBTQIA+ For A Long Time – Here’s Why Culturess Priscilla Couldn’t Remarry Whilst Elvis Was Alive [Photos] Priscilla Couldn’t Remarry Whilst Elvis Was Alive Culturess Former Augusta National Golf Club employee pleads guilty to stealing millions worth of Masters memorabilia and merchandiseFormer Augusta National Golf Club employee pleads guilty to stealing millions worth of Masters memorabilia and merchandise Former Augusta National Golf Club employee pleads guilty to stealing millions worth of Masters memorabilia and merchandise When a big birthday has you making big plans for the future, ask, now what? Here’s what: Build something worth celebrating by tapping into our retirement, insurance and investment expertise. Prudential