Fred Beckey Dies at the Age of 94

Reports have emerged that Fred Beckey has died. This is the famous mountaineer and author from Canada who will be remembered for his climbing adventures. For instance, he is considered as the first person to pioneer routes to some of the tallest peaks in North America Mountains. This includes peaks in Pacific Northwest, Canadian Rockies, and Alaska mountains. He managed to do this in a career that went on for 70 years. His death was confirmed on Monday, and he lived for 94 years. The information about his death was confirmed by a close friend known as Megan Bond. She said that the climbing legend succumbed to a congestive heart failure. She further confirmed that Mr. Beckey had been living in a hospice care for some while. She broke the information through a Facebook post. He will be remembered for the thousands of ascents that he made and some that were not replicated until years later. At the same time, he managed to write a number of books on the topic of mountaineering. He wrote what was regarded as the definitive guides to mountain climbing. However, when it came to the public life, he was virtually unknown. In fact, he can be considered as an exact opposite of Sir Edmund Hillary. This is a famous New Zealander who wrote a guide on mountain climbing.

As for Fred Beckey, he is said to have shunned people and publicity. His friends once joked that he lived like a hermit in his hometown of Seattle. He is said to hole up in an effort to write his guides. He would also disappear for months for his expeditions. This led to the man being referred to using many names such as scruffy hobo. This is because of the stooped wiry backpack that he never left behind. At the same time, he wore sneakers, dirty pants, and a shapeless jacket. However, this didn’t prevent him from having the drive and purpose. To the entire world, he might have been a quiet person. In the field of mountain climbing, he was a legend whose guide changed the field forever. He will also be remembered for climbing the tallest mountain in Africa known as Mt. Kilimanjaro as well as the highest massif in Switzerland known as Monte Rosa. However, he never ventured into the Himalayas in China and India. He was not the first to climb most of these contains.