Shelley Johannesen (53), an experienced climber from Oregon, tragically lost her life in an avalanche while descending Mount Makalu in Nepal, reaching an altitude of 24,000 feet. Her partner, David Ashley, who was climbing alongside her, confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, stating, "She died in my arms high on the mountain due to injuries sustained by an avalanche." Ashley described his grief as "utterly soul crushing" and has sought professional help to cope with the loss. Johannesen had been excitedly documenting her climb, noting in her last post that it would be a challenging ascent, different from her previous climbs, including Mount Everest. The couple had been preparing for this expedition, with Ashley aiming to become the first living kidney donor to summit the peak after donating a kidney in 2017. Following the tragedy, Ashley is arranging for Johannesen's cremation in Nepal and plans to hold a memorial service in the United States with her family.