Dead climber in love with mountain tops

Dave Sharp climbed Everest on his third attempt, but died 300m into his descent.

The British mountaineer who died after dozens of climbers passed him near the summit of Mt Everest was an ambitious young man with a love of travel and standing on mountain tops.

David Sharp, 34, developed a love for climbing while studying engineering in Nottingham.

"He probably packed as much in at 34 as some people do in a lifetime," his mother Linda told the UK-based newspaper the Northern Echo.

He had backpacked throughout southeast Asia and South America, climbed Kilimanjaro in Africa, Cho Oyu in Nepal and tried for the top of Mt Everest three times, succeeding only on his final, fatal attempt.

"He was a great son, a very able climber and we loved him," his father John said.

David Sharp grew up in Guisborough, a small market town in North Yorkshire with a population of about 18,000, where he attended Lawrence Jackson School and Prior Pursglove College.

The former engineer took a break from travelling last year to go back to school to become a maths teacher, a profession he had planned on entering after his final Everest climb.

Russell Brice, who led the expedition that included New Zealand double amputee Mark Inglis, called the Sharps on May 16 with the news that their son was dead.

Although it was Mr Brice's decision for his expedition to continue past Mr Sharp, the Sharps have only gratitude towards him.

"One of Russell's sherpas checked on him and there was still life there," Mrs Sharp said.

"He tried to give him oxygen but it was too late. Your responsibility is to save yourself - not to try and save anybody else. I can't say how grateful I am to the sherpa and to Russell."

Mr Sharp first tried to climb Everest in 2003, climbing with the Northern Ireland team. But deteriorating weather forced him back before reaching the top.

He tried again the following year - this time on his own - but was again forced to turn back.

He left home on March 27 this year in a determined third bid, travelling to Everest's base camp.

Again, he was climbing without sherpas and with only a small amount of oxygen that he only intended to use if necessary. The Washington Post reported yesterday that he took only two four-litre oxygen bottles instead of the normal minimum of five.

But after finally realising his dream of standing on top of the world, he succumbed 300m into his descent.

"David wanted to be top of everything and Everest was no exception," Mrs Sharp said.

"It was what he wanted to do.

"He was a great son and we will miss him terribly."