Colorado climber Michael Gardner dies in fall from Nepal mountain

A mountain climber from Colorado has died after falling off one of Nepals renowned peaks. 

Professional alpine climber Michael Gardner fell to his death on Monday while making his second attempt up the North Face of Nepals Jannu East, which stands at nearly 25,000 feet. 

The 32-year-old was with his longtime climbing partner, Sam Hennessey, at the time. Gardner was described as a true climbers climber by his sponsor, Arcteryx, who shared an Instagram tribute to him.

Professional alpine climber Michael Gardner fell to his death on Monday while making his second attempt up the North Face of Nepals Jannu East

Nepals Jannu East, which stands at nearly 25,000 feet

We are deeply saddened to share that our dear friend and Arcteryx Athlete Michael Gardner passed away climbing Jannu East in the mountains of Nepal earlier this week, read the post, which added that the company was grateful to report that Hennessey descended safely. 

His passion was to share his missions and objectives as if to say, "see what a good time we had?" and invite you to step into the dream with him, the post continued. 

The lengthy tribute further added that it would take pages and pages to list his accomplishments, noting: More than anything its who Mike was as a person that will leave a lasting impact on us, and undoubtedly, on our community. 

On the way down the mountain after the incident, Hennessey reportedly bumped into a French climbing team, which helped search unsuccessfully for Gardners body. 

During their seven-year climbing partnership, Gardner and Sam Hennessey had racked up an otherworldly list of standard-shattering ascents

Gardner was a second-generation guide for Exum, which touts itself at the oldest guide service in North America, and was one of the youngest guides in America 

In Gardners last Instagram post from September, he wrote: It felt like a short summer season between the expeditions. But my cup is full and Im ready for the next chapter. I had plenty of sunshine, good times and connections with family and friends 

A drone and foot search were similarly unable to locate him, and all they found was some of his personal equipment below the face. 

The details surrounding his fall remain unclear, Climbing Magazine reported.

During their seven-year climbing partnership, Gardner and Hennessey had racked up an otherworldly list of standard-shattering ascents, Outside reported. 

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The pair made the second ascent of Light Traveler on the southwest face of Denali, climbing from their camp at 7,200 feet to the summit in just 36 hours, according to the Exum Mountain Guides website. 

The route climbed successfully in 2001 by Stephen Kock and Marjo Prezelj, who took 51 hours to summit from their camp at 14,200ft, according to Climbing Magazine. 

Gardner spent five seasons skiing competitively, guided 12 Denali climbs including a blind climber, and made over 150 ascents of the Grand Teton. 

Gardner was a second-generation guide for Exum, which touts itself at the oldest guide service in North America. He was one of the youngest guides in America, after beginning his first mountaineering trips at age eight. 

He was born in Ridgeway, Colorado, according to the Arcteryx, and has made skiing and climbing expeditions on every continent. 

Most of his childhood was spent following his father from the Tetons to Nepal, and everywhere in between, before his dad died in an accident while solo climbing the Grand Teton in 2008 when Gardner was just 16 years old. 

Gardner leaves behind his mother, Colleen, and sister, Megan, according to Climbing Magazine. 

Olympic snowboarder Elena Hight shared a tribute on Instagram featuring photos of the pair kissing

I feel so lucky to have been loved by you Mikey. It has truly been the greatest gift I will [have] ever received, Hight said

Olympic snowboarder Elena Hight shared a tribute on Instagram featuring photos of the pair kissing. 

She wrote: While our months together were short, the days felt precious, long and so full. We fell in love so fast. Faster than either of us realized.

She described their time together like Neverland, saying it felt like magic. 

I feel so lucky to have been loved by you Mikey. It has truly been the greatest gift I will [have] ever received, Hight added.

Atomic Skis, an equipment company Gardner had tagged in his Instagram bio, said that every interaction with him felt like a gift and his love and passion for the mountains were truly infectious. 

In Gardners last Instagram post from September, he wrote: It felt like a short summer season between the expeditions. But my cup is full and Im ready for the next chapter. I had plenty of sunshine, good times and connections with family and friends.

Mike was an optimist who lived a big, bold life. His legacy will be everlasting through the souls he touched and the limits he refused to acknowledge, said Arcteryx who sponsored the climber

So very excited and grateful to be questing back into the big hills with my dude. Teeth to the Wind, he said. 

Friends of the climber also posted tributes across social media. 

You were larger than life my brother. A beacon of strength inside and out, with your unique ability to uplift everyone around you, and a level of humility that was unmatched, wrote one.

We lost not just a climber, but one of the greatest mountaineers of our generation. Your spirit will forever be a part of these mountains, and your legacy will continue to inspire us all, wrote another.