A Vancouver anesthesiologist has died in the pursuit of a lifelong dream to climb Mount Everest.
Dr. Pieter Swart died Thursday while descending below camp IV, the highest camp below the summit, due to an “undefined, at this point, respiratory event,” said a statement by the University of British Columbia’s anesthesiology department, where Swart was an associate professor.
“Pieter was lost to us while bravely pursuing his dream of being on top of the world, since he was nine. As many of you know, Pieter had an insatiable wanderlust,” said department head Dr. Hamed Umedaly in a letter to colleagues on Friday.
Nepalese tourism department official Khim Lal Gautam confirmed Swart’s death, Reuters reported, identifying him as a Canadian national who fell sick in the “death zone,” typically identified as 8,000 metres above sea level where oxygen levels are not high enough to sustain human life for an extended period and where supplemental oxygen is typically used.
Swart’s death raised Mount Everest’s death toll this season to 12.
Swart documented his Everest expedition on his Instagram account. His first post, on May 10, said he was waiting for a weather window in Namche Bazaar. “The defining phase of our expedition is approaching,” he wrote. His last post, six days later, was a shot taken in the Khumbu icefall. “Perfect day.”
Swart appeared to be climbing with Seattle-based Madison Mountaineering.
On Friday, he was remembered with great affection by colleagues, who described him as a warm, caring physician, easy to laugh, a leader and educator who inspired many. “He was an exceptional anesthesiologist and perioperative physician and had a remarkable ability to connect with patients, trainees and staff while performing countless procedures over the years,” said Vancouver Coastal Health in a statement. Swart worked for 19 years at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital.
“He was a true leader in his profession, inspiring everyone who worked alongside him.”
Umedaly highlighted Swart’s sense of humour. “Laughing was always part of the encounter and you always parted smiling,” he said. “Pieter always made your day [and night] better when you interacted with him. He was a boet [brother] to so many.”
Swart leaves his wife, Suretha, and two adult children, Marna and Pieter. He is also survived by his mother, sister and brother in South Africa.
Swart’s colleagues and family are arranging a celebration of life. “There will be stories to tell of the tremendous effect he had on all of us and his patients,” Umedaly said. “I’m sure you will all agree that we were all enriched, and the world is a better place, because Pieter Swart lived.”
