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An American skier has reportedly died in a mountaineering accident in Nepal.

Michael Gardner, 32, of Colorado, died Monday while climbing Nepal's Jannu East Mountain, according to Gardner's sponsor Arc'teryx. In an Instagram post, the outdoor clothing company confirmed that his longtime climbing partner who accompanied him, Sam Hennessey, was safe following the incident.

Gardner fell to his death in Nepal's Kangchenjunga region after attempting a new route up the north face with Hennessey, Climbing Magazine reported.

Hennessey, who successfully descended the route, encountered a French team with whom he completed the route safely, according to the outlet. The group searched for Gardner's body, but only found some clothing and personal equipment that belonged to him. A drone search was also unsuccessful.

According to Alpine Mag, it was Hennessey's third attempt to climb the north face of Jannu East and his second attempt with Gardner.

Gardner's father died in a climbing accident in 2008

Born in Ridgway, Colorado in 1991, Gardner is a second-generation mountain guide who learned from his father, according to Arc'teryx.

However, Gardner lost his father, George Gardner, at age 16 in a climbing accident in 2008, “in a moment that redefined his view of the mountains and guided his path ever since.”

According to Climbing Magazine, George fell to his death during a solo assault on the Grand Teton.

Mike was a “real climber”

Gardner is survived by his mother, Colleen, and his sister, Megan, Climbing Magazine reported.

“We knew Mike as everyone’s favorite person. He was curious and loving. He had a smile and a way about him that drew you in. He loved sharing knowledge and truly engaging in human interaction,” Arc'teryx wrote in a tribute post. “As a skateboarder, skier, climber, avid skier, writer and mountain guide, he refused to be pigeonholed by any label and pursued everything that fascinated him.”

Among his many accomplishments was Gardner's talent for scaling rock faces and mountain peaks at breakneck speeds.

“He was not one to brag, did not have a big ego and was a real climber,” the company wrote. “The pursuit was never about him – his passion was sharing his missions and goals, as if to say, 'See what a good time we had?' and invite you to enter the dream with him; his motivation was to push the boundaries of the sport and to do so with ethics, style and homage to those who came before.

On By John Fenwick

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