Homeboyski.com is reporting that Swedish Ski Mountaineer Fredrik Ericsson was killed in a fall while attempting to summit and ski K2, the world’s second-highest peak. Ericsson was attempting to ski the three highest summits in the world. Ericsson reportedly fell 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) for unknown reasons, while approaching the summit.

Full report here: http://homeboyski.com/2010/08/06/fredrik-ericssons-death-on-k2

Ericsson was an accomplished ski mountaineer who had completed descents of several of the world’s highest and most difficult summits, including Gasherbrum 2 and Shisha Pangma, both over 8,000 meters.

Fredrik was posting updates of his K2 mission on his website: www.fredrikericsson.com/

Editor’s note: Ski mountaineer Dave Watson had some additional information, originally posted at K2tracks.com, that he passed on to us. Here is his report: 

Incredibly sad news this morning as we learn than Sweden’s Fredrik Ericsson was killed in a fall on K2. Details are thin. All we know is that he fell 1000 meters (3280 ft) while climbing towards the summit of the world’s second tallest mountain.

The weather forecasts had predicted good weather. A small group of highly experienced climbers set out for the summit from camp 4 on the shoulder after climbing the Cesen route over the previous 3 days. All except 2 climbers turned back after the winds kicked up and conditions quickly deteriorated. Fredrik and Austrian Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner were the only ones that continued. Perhaps they believed the weather forecast to be correct and it was only a small localized storm that would blow through and clear up again. Gerlinde made it back down to camp 4 and is reported to be descending to base camp. It looks as though the K2 season may be over, again with nobody summiting.

Fredrik was hoping to make the first complete ski descent of K2. He was an amazing guy, very friendly, very helpful, and very strong. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

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Keith Garvey Just finished teaching a Swedish Alpine Guides course in La Grave…so many alpine climbing objectives with no one on them, simply amazing!

…is thankful

Dela

 Idag kl. 12:14

still with a kink but kicking strong - summit of mt Blanc.

Now, at just over 5 months since I shattered my elbow the light at the end of the tunnel is blazing and there is no way it is an oncoming train!! — In the last month I’ve steped onto the summit of mt Blanc 3 times and have just completed an awesome ascent of La Meije in the Ecrin mtns.I just want to express my thanks to all that have helped me through this potentialy disasterous time.All those people that visited me in hostpital, transported me around, fed me, housed me, excercised me (put up with my excercising!), listened to my improving French, corrected my not so improving French, wrote to me, called me, sent me care packages from far and near, smiled when i was near to not smiling and let me live vicariously through them for the rest of the ski season.I truely am grateful for all the great interactions that this episode has given me the opportunity to experience; I am a much better person after taking this fork in the road. I hope that I can inspire others to also make the most of their next footstep and help realise there tends to always be a sliver lining to everycloud.CHEERS!!!!!!!tim p.s could not tag all who this applies to - i.e EVERYONE!!