Aussie climber Matthew Eakin dies while scaling world’s second highest peak

The family of an Aussie adventurer who died while climbing the world’s second-highest peak have posted a touching tribute.

When people would ask experienced mountain climber Matthew Eakin if he had a death wish, the passionate Australian would reply: “Far from it. I have a life wish. A wish to live deeply.”

His family says he did just that and have remembered him as someone who lived life to the fullest as they mourned his sudden death while scaling K2 — the world’s second-highest peak in Pakistan.

The Sydney tax lawyer’s body and that of Canadian professional climber Richard Cartier were found on Monday after the pair went missing last week.

Mr Eakin’s family shared a lengthy tribute to him on social media on Thursday, quoting him discussing his passion for life.

“Many may ask why not stop? Don’t you have a death wish? The answers are simple; one day as a tiger is truly worth more than a thousand as a sheep,” they quoted him as saying.

The body of Sydney man Matthew Eakin was found on K2, the world’s second highest peak. Picture: Facebook

“Once you taste the forbidden fruit of adventure and what you truly love doing, you’ll never look back. It’s sad that many (almost all) don’t find this.

“Some people’s passions just happen to have a higher probability of death. As for having a death wish? Far from it, I have a life wish. A wish to live deeply.”

The family said Mr Eakin was a much loved son, brother, uncle and nephew, and a very dear friend.

He had summited K2 safely on Saturday local time and was in “great spirits” while descending.

“(He) was in regular contact with his team at base camp and with his family during this period,” the family said.

“He was last heard from at about Japanese camp three (at approximately 6960m) where he had rested and then continued to descend.”

His body was found on Monday, not far from advanced base camp.

Matthew Eakin's family have shared an emotional tribute to him. Picture: Facebook

“Matthew was a highly experienced and capable high altitude climber, who had climbed extensively in Nepal and in Pakistan over the past decade,” the family said.

“Safety was his highest priority. His motto when climbing was ‘safety before summit’. Any risk he took was calculated and analysed thoroughly, as only he could.

“Whether it was in his work as a tax lawyer, spending time with friends and family, or when mountaineering, he lived life to the full and did not waste a second of his life.

“He was a kind-hearted, passionate, generous and larger-than-life character with an enquiring mind.”

The family said they were “grateful and comforted by the outpouring of love and support” from around the world.

“These messages have highlighted to us how Matthew’s extraordinary life touched the lives of so many,” they said.

“Our thoughts are with Matthew’s team, still in Pakistan, and we are eternally grateful for all their support throughout this period.”

Matthew Eakin and his fellow climbers during their recent expedition of K2. Picture: Facebook

Quebec mountaineer Justin Dubé-Fahmy, who was another member of the expedition, had posted on July 21 that they were heading back to base camp.

He said they were “pretty tired” after two big days of climbing, during which they had reached base camp four at 7600m.

The Himalayan Times first reported the pair’s deaths, with a source telling the publication their bodies were “intact and frozen”.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed an Australian man had died while climbing in Pakistan.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died during a climbing expedition in northern Pakistan,” a spokesperson told NCA NewsWire.

“We extend our condolences to his family and friends.”

“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”

Matthew Eakin’s death is being mourned by the Australian adventure community. Picture: Facebook

Mr Eakin’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief from adventurers based all over the world.

The co-founder of the Australian community Mountaineers Downunder was remembered as an energetic man with a love for adventure.

“Matt embodied energy, passion and enthusiasm to live life to the fullest extent, embracing every opportunity to experience what life had to offer,” the Climb & Wine Facebook page posted.

“Matt supported many in our community to develop skills and confidence in the adventure world and was always available to share his knowledge to anyone with passion to learn.”

Gashabrum Adventure Tours Pakistan’s founder and managing director Kashif Ali said he still could not comprehend the news.

“I still can‘t believe it that he is no more with us,” he said.

“This is really tragic news, Matthew Eakin was the founder of the excellent Facebook page Mountaineers Downunder and has made a huge contribution to the mountaineering community in Australia.”

K2, The world’s second highest peak, standing at the Himalayan Karakoram Range in the northern area of Pakistan. Picture: AFP/Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation

Another friend said Mr Eakin “constantly gave his time to others”.

“Anyone who had the pleasure to spend even a few minutes with Matthew Eakin would no doubt come away with a renewed zest for life,” Rob Norman posted

“He lived the life he wanted, wore his heart on his sleeve, made the most out of this precious life we have and always did it with a smile on his face.”

Ayla Rowe posted on social media: “Matt had such a positive impact on so many lives. I feel so blessed to have known him as my climbing friend. He’d always brighten my day with his big grin and infectious laugh. We were so lucky to have him.”

Bede Elphick wrote: “A champion of a bloke who always gave you his time with a smile.”

Standing at 8611m above sea level and bordering Pakistan and China, K2 is considered one of the toughest mountains to climb in the world.

More than 100 people have died while trying to scale it since 1954.