Posted: Sep 18, 2007 02:47 am EDT
(MountEverest.net) American climber Ray Yeritsian died in Nyalam (3750m) last Friday while traveling to Shisha Pangma base camp, Asian Trekking reports.

Born and raised in Armenia, Ray moved to California in 1991. In a 2004 interview, Ray told ExplorersWeb that he went through the Russian climbing system for mountaineering experience. "Add some Armenian "flavor" to it and my Western views on mountaineering in general... that's where I think I stand at this point" he said about his ambitious climbing plans back then (Everest Norton line).

Ruptured artery

Ray liked to climb solo or in small teams with little support and this fall, he joined the Asian Trekking's Dream Shishapangma expedition. He was to climb with three Sherpas, French Jean-Christophe Albert Ludot and Australian Blair Falahey - who recently aborted an attempt on GII after an avalanche killed two people and left two others injured.

The team was supposed to start out on 11th of September. Due to landslide, the expedition was delayed and planned to reach base camp on September 15. But according to Doctors, Ray suffered a ruptured artery in Nyalam.

"As per the wish of his wife and family members his body was repatriated to USA in coordination with the US Embassy, Nepal," Asian Trekking reports.

"The Asian Trekking family expresses its deepest grieve condolence and pray to the Almighty to rest his soul in peace."

Ray's climbing resume:

1984-1990 - North Caucasus, Pamir (Varzob region, Aksu region...),
Elbrus (1984)
1992-1998 - Yosemite (up to 5.11)
Mexico Volcanoes
multiple routes on Mt.Whitney, Mt.Shasta,....
1999 - Mt. Aconcagua (summit)
2000 - Mt. Everest, South East Ridge attempt (stopped due to an injury)
2001 - Mt.Lhotse, West Face, attempt...unsupported (stopped by bad weather...)
2003 - Mt.McKinley, West Rib variation, solo (summit)

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