The mountaineering and adventure community is mourning the loss of an Australian man who died while climbing the world’s second highest peak in Pakistan.
The bodies of Sydney mountaineer Matthew Eakin and Canadian professional climber Richard Cartier were found on Tuesday after the pair went missing last week.
Camera icon The body of Sydney man Matthew Eakin was found on K2, the world’s second highest peak. Facebook Credit: Provided
Quebec climber Justin Dubé-Fahmy, another member of the expedition, posted on July 21 that they were returning to base camp.
He said they were “quite tired” after two big days of climbing, during which they had reached Base Camp 4 at 7600m.
But Eakin and Cartier disappeared last week during the downgrade from base camp 2 to base camp 1.
The Himalayan Times first reported the pair’s deaths, with a source telling the publication that their “intact and frozen” bodies were found below Base Camp 1.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that an Australian man had died while climbing in Pakistan.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died during a climbing expedition in northern Pakistan,” a spokesperson told NCA NewsWire.
“We extend our condolences to his family and friends.”
“Due to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment.”
Camera icon Matthew Eakin and his fellow climbers during their recent K2 expedition. Facebook Credit: Provided
Mr Eakin’s death has prompted an outpouring of emotion and support from adventurers around the world.
The experienced climber and co-founder of the Australian community Mountaineers Downunder was remembered as an energetic man with a love of adventure.
“Matt embodied the energy, passion and enthusiasm for living life to the fullest, taking every opportunity to experience what life had to offer,” the Climb & Wine Facebook page posted.
“Matt supported many in our community to develop skills and confidence in the world of adventure and was always available to share his knowledge with anyone with a passion to learn.”
Founder and Managing Director of Gashabrum Adventure Tours Pakistan, Kashif Ali, said he was still unable to comprehend the news.
“I still can’t believe he’s no longer with us,” she said.
Camera icon The death of Matthew Eakin is being mourned by the Australian adventure community. Facebook Credit: Provided
“This is truly tragic news, Matthew Eakin was the founder of the excellent Mountaineers Downunder Facebook page and has made a huge contribution to Australia’s mountaineering community.”
Another friend said Mr Eakin “constantly gave of his time to others”.
“Anyone who had the pleasure of spending even a few minutes with Matthew Eakin would undoubtedly leave with a renewed zest for life,” posted Rob Norman.
“She lived the life she wanted, wore her heart on her sleeve, made the most of this precious life we have and always did it with a smile on her face.”
Located at 8,611m above sea level and bordering Pakistan and China, K2 is considered one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the world.
More than 100 people have died trying to climb it since 1954.