A Quebec mountain climber fell to his death on Saturday while leading an international expedition on Pakistan鈥檚 K2, according to a representative of the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Serge Dessureault was part of the nine-member K2 Broad Peak team at the time of his fall on the 8,611-metre mountain, said club secretary Karrar Haidri.
A message on the team鈥檚 Facebook page indicated the 53 year old fell near Camp 2, which sits at 6,700 metres, at 12:25 p.m. local time.
"All our sympathies go to Serge's family and loved ones," said Fortin on Facebook. "We're speechless."
The details of what led to his fall were not immediately available.
Dessureault鈥檚 friend Benoit Lamoureux was shocked when he heard the news.
鈥淚t鈥檚 devastating. Serge was a wonderful man,鈥� he said during an interview with 麻豆影视 Channel. 鈥淔irst of all, his passion was his wife and his two daughters. He was a public person who helped charity and always gave his free time to help others. He was a great man, a man of passion in every aspect of his life.鈥�
Dessureault and Lamoureux attempted the treacherous K2 ascent two years ago, but an avalanche at Camp 3 led to them cutting the trip short due to further safety concerns.
鈥淥ther than an accident, I can鈥檛 see what happened. Serge didn鈥檛 take any chances, he did nothing to be a hero,鈥� Lamoureux explained. 鈥淓verytime you go on a mountain over 5,000 metres you know there鈥檚 always a risk. Serge knew the risk, the family knew the risk. But it鈥檚 still a shock when that happens.鈥�
Lamoureux said his friend would want to remind people to enjoy life as much as possible.
鈥淧assion for him started with his family. And by family I mean his family relatives, family of work, family of friends, family of climbers,鈥� he said. 鈥淭oday we lost a great man in every aspect of life and he would like us to remember to enjoy life as much as possible, every moment.鈥�
Dessureault, a firefighter, leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
鈥淗e passed away doing something he loved. It doesn鈥檛 make the loss easier, but at least he was doing something he loved. He leaves behind a great family,鈥� Lamoureux added.
Two other Quebecers, Maurice Beausejour and Nathalie Fortin, were also taking part in the expedition.
K2 is considered a difficult climb and is known for harsh weather conditions.
Haidri said Dessureault鈥檚 body was transported to base camp and will be taken to Pakistan鈥檚 capital, Islamabad.
With files from The Canadian Press.
