Joe Puryear: author of the guide from Alaska Mountaineering and also one of the most successful American mountaineers in the Himalayas in recent years, was killed in a climbing accident in Tibet. According to an email sent Supertopo.com Mike Gauthier, a friend and former colleague Ranger Joe Puryear, the climber fell through a cornice on Labuche Kang, the peak of 7367 meters he tried to cross with his partner David Gottlieb. Joe Puryear partner did not witness the accident, but later discovered the body at the foot of the mountain.
In addition to previously untouched up three major peaks in Nepal during the past two years, Joe Puryear has made dozens of major climbs in Alaska, the Cascades,Yosemite Valley, the desert of Utah, and many other places in the world. When not climbing, he worked in the marketing department of Sherpa Adventure Gear. Climbing staff extends its sincere condolences to Joe Puryear's wife, Michelle, in Leavenworth, Washington, and his family and many friends.
More information about the accident can be found here. Read about the expedition in Tibet here. More information will be posted as they become available.
You can read an excerpt from Joe Puryear moving here.