An American business owner who tragically lost her life while adventuring in Nepal shared a haunting final message to friends and family before being swept by a deadly avalanche. Shelley Johannesen, 53, died on May 11 due to injuries sustained in the avalanche while she was descending Mount Makalu.
In a final Facebook post before her death, the avid adventurer excitedly shared an update about her travels in Nepal. 'There's been a LOT of patient waiting for this weather window at Makalu Basecamp. By far the most challenging part of the expedition to date - emotionally and physically,' she wrote. 'Good news is the winds have subsided and we are healthy and ready to go as a team. This is going to be a tough climb. Different than Everest and I am excited to see/experience/feel what I have to offer this mountain.' 'As with all expeditions, my mantra is simple... LFG,' she concluded. 'The ooh aah factor will be high and the pain cave deep. How lucky am I?'
Johannesen was the co-founder of Dash Adventures, a successful Utah-based expedition company. As she died, Johannesen was accompanied by her co-founder and partner, David Ashley, and two Nepali guides.
Ashley recounted his final moments with her on the mountain in a heartbreaking Facebook post, calling the loss 'utterly soul-crushing.' 'She died in my arms high on the mountain due to injuries sustained by an avalanche,' Ashley wrote. 'Shelley was not just an incredible person, but lived her life with no limits and chased her passions around the world.' 'I am still trying to understand this loss, and my heart goes out to her family at this time,' Ashley concluded.
Johannesen had only just summited the fifth-highest peak in the world before the avalanche came tumbling down at 24,000 feet, reported the Kathmandu Post. According to CBS, Makalu is considered one of the most technically challenging mountains in the world. The peak, located southeast of Everest, is known for its remote location and extreme weather.
Expedition Himalaya managing Director Nabin Trital told AFP that Johannesen was just below the 27,838-foot mountain's third camp at the time. Johannesen died at the scene while being treated by medics. She was later airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city.
Johannesen was previously married to Virginia Commonwealth University athletic director Ed McLaughlin. The pair shared three adult children. 'Shelley was an accomplished climber who cherished adventure,' the McLaughlins said in a statement obtained by WTVR. 'Despite our heartbreak from this unimaginable accident, we know she died doing what she loved. We appreciate the outpouring of support to our family during this difficult time.'
Johannesen, who was originally from Portland, Oregon, was based in Francis, Utah, but frequently traveled the world. On her social media, she described herself as a 'high altitude mountaineer, novice surfer, optimistic snowshoer [and] terrible cook.' According to People, Johannesen's death marked the fifth in the Himalayas so far this hiking season. Other fatalities included three Nepali guides and a 38-year-old Czech climber.
