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Everest legend dies in climbing accident
19:48 p.m. EST Jan 13, 2004
Members of our community alerted us that Arne Naess - the stellar Norwegian Everest summiteer - died in an accident in the Franschoek mountains in the Western Cape today, where he was a guest on a vineyard of Johan Rupert, son of business magnate Anton Rupert. According to Verdens Gang, Arne headed out to climb at 8 am, and died at 12.30 pm.
Arne Naess (born Dec 8, 1937) summited Everest in 1985, leading one of the must successful Everest expeditions ever. No less than 17 expedition members made the summit, from the South Col SE ridge. The expedition was famous for being very well organized, and included some well known names such as Ang Rita Sherpa (his then 3d summit), Dick Bass (who later coined the idea of the "seven summits"), Imax filmer David Breashears, and Chris Bonington (expedition "Captain"). Arne was the nephew of the famous pioneer and philosopher Arne Naess sr., who in 1950 led the expedition that made the first ascent of Tirich Mir, Pakistan (7706 m).
Arne Naess made a fortune in shipping and married singer Diana Ross in 1986. They had 2 children and divorced in 1999. Arne then married Camilla Astrup, and had 2 kids with her. Arne had in total 7 children. He died 66 years old, the way that he had lived - climbing a mountain.
Image of Arne Naess courtesy of www.7summits.com
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