Swedish adventurer Goran Kropp has died aged 35 (reports today’s Daily Telegraph). You may not have heard of Kropp, but he was a unique figure in mountaineering and expeditions. He was committed to leaving no trace and doing everything himself, doing without outside support and taking everything that he brought away with him. His most famous expedition took place in 1995. He set off from his home in Stockholm on his bike, towing a trailer of gear. He rode 7,000 miles to Kathmandu in Nepal, became the first climber to carry all his equipment from there to Everest Base Camp, then climbed Everest solo, with no supplementary oxygen or assistance from any other climbers.
It took him three attempts to reach the top. This was during the infamous 1996 season on Everest, when a massive storm on Everest trapped 40 climbers on the mountain. Eight died in the disaster. Kropp’s third attempt took place after the storm had subsided. He summitted successfully, returned to base camp, hiked back to Katmandu… Then got back on his bike and rode back to Sweden.
During his life Kropp climbed 16 of the world's 22 "ultimate mountains" and had attempted to ski unsupported to the North Pole. When he wasn't planning or executing expeditions, he helped the people in poorer regions of the world, building schools and hospitals in the Himalayas, and delivered lectures. He also returned to Everest to help clear rubbish and discarded equipment from the South Col.
He died on September 30 while rock climbing at Vantage, Washington.
