Inspiring letter that a killed Everest climber took with him

Dan Fredinburg, a Google engineer from California, was given the letters, including this one written by his friend Max, to take with him on his expedition. His girlfriend collected the letters for him to read on Everest.

Dan has led a number of expeditions to Nepal. He announced in 2013 that people were able to explore mountains themselves using Google Maps.

He died on Saturday at a base-camp on Everest in an avalanche following the earthquake which has killed 3,617 people.

On Facebook his friend Max Stossel wrote: “We lost one of my dearest friends yesterday. One of the most wonderful human beings any of us would have the pleasure of knowing.”

Max is now raising money to help the relief efforts in Nepal and to “Celebrate Dan”.

In a letter, published in full below, and with the friend’s permission, Max wrote to him: “Even if you don’t [return] we’ll all be horrified, saddened, and heartbroken that we can’t create new stories with you, but we’ll also know that you’ve already lived the equivalent of at least 100 lifetimes.”

The final letter from Max to Dan:

Dan (dan dan dan)

You must be really high up for this written Echo (echo echo). Everyone you know and love is eventually going to die (die die die). When we do, we leave behind our stories.

Those stories are told and passed on, impacting the lives of others until they are stories (stories stories stories).

Your story has already greatly impacted mine for the better. With each adventure you return with stories that most people wouldn’t dream of experiencing themselves (selves selves selves).

Thank you for pushing the human race to be greater, more daring, and to truly live life rather than survive it (it it it).

I love you, brother. Please return safely with stories (stories stores).

And even if you don’t… We’ll all be horrified, saddened, and heartbroken, that we can’t create new stories with you but we’ll also know that you’ve already lived the equivalent of at least 100 lifetimes.

You are a f****** champion.

Safe, wonderful & breathtaking journey.

Love,

Max Stossel (ossel ossel)