April 29, 2011 – Erhard Loretan (1959 – 2011)

The famous Swiss climber Erhard Loretan has died in a climbing accident while leading a client up the summit ridge of the Gruenhorn, in the Bernese Alps. Swiss police report that the pair fell 200 m, which resulted in the death of Loretan and serious injuries to the client.

Loretan began climbing at the age of 11 and during his climbing career summited all 14 mountain peaks above 8, 000 m. Perhaps his most audacious accomplishment came in 1986 when he climbed Mount Everest at night in just 40 hours and without supplementary oxygen.

More details here.