Calgary Doctor Dies Day After Climbing on Everest

Charles MacAdams was a cardiac anesthesiologist at the University of Calgary who climbed to the North Col of Mount Everest the day before he passed away. The 62-year-old Calgary doctor would combine his Himalayan climbing trips with teaching and practicing medicine.

In Kathmandu, he would meet with families and work with local doctors. In Calgary, he had trained over 150 doctors and was recognized internationally for his work.

Close to home, he had climbed Mount Temple 13 times, often taking less experienced climbers who needed a helping hand. His son Jeff told the Calgary Herald, “He was ready to retire, but practicing medicine, and more so, teaching medicine in Nepal was re-energizing for him.”

MacAdams never wanted to reach the summit and was happy with his climb to the 7,000-metre North Col. It was his first trip to the Tibetan side of the mountain. Jeff said his father passed away in his sleep and was not injured. The cause of death is unknown.