Tragic News - Skier Fredrik Ericsson Reported Dead on K2

Really sad news is spreading throughout the freeskiing community and the world today as reports come in of another inspiring and incredibly talented skier who has died pursuing his passion. Fredrik Ericsson, well known in the big mountain skiing world, is reported to have died Friday morning on his K2 summit push, falling 1,000+ meters. It is unclear if bad weather, rockfall or avalanches may have partially instigated the fall, but worsening conditions was certainly becoming a factor on the climb, despite a forecast for great weather. The respected expedition news blog EverestNews.com seems to have a bit more information. (Photo credits from FredrikEricsson.com)

We at Doglotion.com didn't know Fred personally, but were both excited and inspired by his return attempt to ski K2, and had promised him we'd follow it closely every step of the way, publishing his progress as he went. The news of his death will no doubt hit hard in the ski and climbing communities. Our thoughts and good vibes go out to Fred's friends and family, who are no doubt only 1 degree of separation away. 

Fredrik was on K2 this year with climber/journalist Trey Cook, on his 2nd attempt to be the first person to ski the world's hardest peak from the summit. Last season, Fredrik's expedition partner Michelle Fait was killed in a fatal ski fall early in their expedition. This season the weather at K2 had been miserable for the most part, leaving only a few expedition teams on the mountain this week, as people left when supplies ran out or travel plans ended their trips. But from the last update on Fredrik's blog, the weather up until Friday was great, and their summit hopes were high.

Fredrik's attempt to ski the world's toughest peak from the summit was an inspiration to many. We suspect the same is true for much of what he did in his 31 years on earth.

Fredrik Ericsson on the way down from C4, earlier in this expedition. Photo credit Tommy Heinrich from Fredrik's blog.