Jean-Noel Urban, French Extreme Skier, Killed In Accident On Gasherbrum I
June 21, 2008
Jean-Noel Urban, an extreme skier and mountain climber out of La Salle Les Alpes, France, has been killed in an accident on Gasherbrum I. Urban, who was famous for recent ski descents of Cho Oyu and Gasherbrum II, was attempting to climb, then descend by ski, the Japanese coulier on Gasherbrum I.
ExplorersWeb reports that Jean-Noel Urban died after falling into a crevasse near Camp 2 on June 18:
At around 5 am, Jean-Noel Urban was leaving Camp 2 for Base Camp, when he fell into a very big crevasse. A search was attempted the next day, without results. There has been heavy snow fall since and rescue attempts have now been aborted.
Nicholas Brun, a long-time expedition partner of Jean-Noel Urban, was attempting Gasherbrum I with Urban at the time of the accident. He has since called off the attempt and will be heading home, which is quite understandable.
Jean-Noel Urban was noted for many 50-60 degree ski descents in th Alps, Himalayas, Central Asia, and the United States. His recent descents of Cho Oyu and Gasherbrum II are a credit to the kind of skier that Urban was. Gasherbrum I would have represented the third 8,000 meter peak, with all three peaks being listed in the amongst the 14 highest in the world. Besides Cho Oyu and Gasherbrum II, Urban had also done partial descents of Shisha Pangma and Manaslu.
Our thoughts go out to his friends, family and associates as they try to come to terms with this recent tragedy.
From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Gasherbrum I, Jean-Noel Urban |
[...] ExplorersWeb съобщава за смъртта на Jean-Noel Urban, френски екстремен скиор и катерач от “La Salle Les Alpes” които наскоро стана известен с своите ски спускания на Cho Oyu и Gasherbrum II. Urban е правил опит за изкачване и скускане със ски на “Японския кулоар” на Gasherbrum I. На 18-ти Юни около 5 сутринта той тръгва от Лагер 2 към Базовия лагер. Малко по-късно пропада в огромен серак. На следвашия ден е започнала спасителна операция, но без резултат поради тежките снеговалежи. Nicholas Brun партньор на Urban в изкачването се отказва след инцидента и се връща във Франция. Jean-Noel Urban има повече от 50 екстремни ски спускания в Хималаите, Алпите, Америка и Централна Азия. Тази година освен Gasherbrum II и Cho Oyu, Urban прави частични спускания и на Shisha Pangma и Manaslu. Оригиналната новина може да прочетете тук. [...]