Mountaineer perishes on the world's fifth tallest peak, located in Nepal.

American Mountaineer Alexander Pancoe Perishes on Mount Makalu

In a tragic incident, Alexander Pancoe, a 39-year-old American mountaineer, met his untimely demise while ascending Mount Makalu in Nepal on May 4–5, 2025. The world's fifth-highest mountain, Makalu, at an altitude of 8,485 meters, is well-known for its technical challenging nature, being part of the Himalayas.

Pancoe was attempting to summit Mount Makalu as part of a charity expedition, seeking to raise funds for the pediatric brain tumor program at the Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. The aim was to generate over $1 million and boost research efforts towards clinical trials and other programs.

During the climb, Pancoe, who once survived a brain tumor himself, had already notably completed the Explorer's Grand Slam, a daunting challenge involving summiting the highest peak on each continent and reaching both poles.

Tragedy struck at the mountain's second high camp, where Pancoe had settled into his sleeping bag after an acclimatization trip at the higher camp three. According to expedition organizer Madison Mountaineering, he suddenly became unresponsive, and despite hours of resuscitation efforts, he couldn't be revived. The Nepalese tourism department is arranging to bring his body to Kathmandu, the capital, for further arrangements.

Before embarking on the Mount Makalu expedition, Pancoe accomplished some remarkable milestones in his pursuit of the Explorer's Grand Slam. The challenge involves summiting the highest peaks on each continent and then skiing to both the North and South Poles.

Pancoe's brave adventures and resilience as a cancer survivor have left an indelible mark on both the mountaineering world and the medical philanthropy arena. His legacy continues through the work at the Lurie Children’s Hospital, where the Pancoe Family Foundation Care Team Station was named in recognition of his contributions.

This unfortunate event echoes the intersection of extreme adventure and humanitarianism, exemplified by Pancoe's life and work. Let us remember Alexander Pancoe, a shining beacon of courage and determination, who touched lives in the most profound ways.

Enrichment Data:

Alexander Pancoe was an American mountaineer and philanthropist, who aimed to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam, before his death during the Mount Makalu expedition. At 39, he was tackling Nepal’s Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak, as part of a charity climb to raise funds for Lurie Children's Hospital’s pediatric brain tumor program. Pancoe had already accomplished significant milestones in pursuit of the Grand Slam and had raised over $1 million for the institution before his passing.

Due to his demise on Mount Makalu, funds raised for the pediatric brain tumor program at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago have fell short of the $1 million goal Alexander Pancoe aimed to achieve.
As a cancer survivor himself, Alexander Pancoe's resilience and determination was a testament to the strength of the human spirit, especially in the face of leukemia.
Despite the unfortunate event, Alexander Pancoe's legacy continues to touch the economy as his contributions have led to the establishment of the Pancoe Family Foundation Care Team Station at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
In the final stages of his Explorer's Grand Slam, Alexander Pancoe, unable to resuscitate on Mount Makalu, perished, leaving the world of sports without one of its most remarkable athletes and humanitarians.
Now, the capital, Kathmandu, prepares to bid farewell to Alexander Pancoe, not just as a fallen mountaineer, but as a beacon of hope and resilience, whose spirit continues to inspire those battling pediatric cancers.