Backcountry enthusiasts are beckoned to the outdoors by a deep-seated yearning to explore and experience the awe that only Nature can provide. And every such enthusiast who has pushed the risk threshold–whether by rafting powerful rivers, paragliding in the skies, or climbing the worlds tallest peaks—knows that inherent risks are part of the journey.
In late April of this year Heraldo Javier Callupan arrived at our hostel to prepare for his climb of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain at 20,237 feet.
Denali draws mountaineers from all over the world who marvel at it’s beauty and the opportunity to stand at it’s peak. Among the many challenges for mountaineers is Denali’s extreme weather changes where severe snow storms, sub zero temperatures, and hurricane force winds can prevent climbers from summiting its peak.
Tribute to Heraldo Javier Callupan
Javier’s passion for climbing mountains radiated when he spoke about mountaineering, almost as though he was reciting the famous words of Albert Camus “Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night-filled mountain, in itself forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart.”
An experienced and skilled climber from Argentina, Javier began his ascent of Denali on May 1st as a solo climber. We were saddened to hear that his body was found at the 17,200 foot base camp on May 10th.
There were no signs of trauma and no other climbers at the camp. In the three days prior a severe snow storm swept through the mountain.
Camps lower on the mountain reported up to three feet of snow in three days with windy conditions preventing other climbers from continuing up the mountain. It is likely conditions higher at 17,200 feet were much worse.
It was a privilege to cross paths with Javier when he came through our hostel. He cooked us up a delicious rice dish to go along with our salmon feast and became an immediate part of our Base Camp family. We will remember him fondly and send along our love and condolences to his family in Argentina.
Realmente fue un gran guia y amigo, era un ser especial, te hacia amar a la montaña, te contagiaba esa pasion, te extrañamos y siempre vas a estar en nuestro corazones Javi!
I am Natalia , his wife , thank you very much for your words . We miss him a lot. Greetings from Argentina.
Javi was my personal friend. We used to work together in the Andes. We all miss him a lot. Rest in peace my friend.
So sad! At least he died doing what he loved. Crazy world we live in! Thanks for sharing x
Gran persona y amigo…hizo que le tenga amor y respeto a la montaña. Se lo sigue extrañando.
Cuesta hablar en tiempo pasado, todavía, pero Javi fue un excelente guía, no cabe la menor duda, pero fue una mejor persona, siempre atento y preocupado por los demás. Una tremenda pérdida.
Estamos de paso por este mundo, no pierdo las esperanzas de volver a encontrarte en la cumbre mas altas, nos vemos, un abrazo gigante amigo!