Mountain climber and philanthropist Alex Pancoe embarked on his final expedition to Nepal's treacherous peaks with unwavering determination and a charitable purpose.

According to PEOPLE, the 39-year-old American adventurer died suddenly on May 4 while attempting to scale Mount Makalu, the world's fifth-highest peak, during a fundraising climb for pediatric blood cancer research.

Madison Mountaineering confirmed Pancoe's death occurred at Camp 2, where he had been sharing accommodations with expedition leader Terray Sylvester. The climber showed no signs of distress earlier that day, maintaining high spirits and energy levels throughout the journey. Team members and Sherpas attempted resuscitation for several hours but were unable to revive him.

Brain tumor survivor's remarkable climbing journey

Pancoe's determination to conquer mountains emerged after surviving a brain tumor in his younger years. Despite facing chronic myeloid leukemia at the time of his death, he remained committed to raising funds for Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital's pediatric blood cancer program. His resilience led him to successfully scale the highest peaks across seven continents, each climb dedicated to charitable causes.

Himalayan Guides managing director Iswari Paudel suggested cardiac arrest as the possible cause of death, though official confirmation awaits a post-mortem examination.

The tragic incident occurred as Pancoe's four-member team prepared for their night's rest at Camp 2, situated on the formidable 27,000-foot mountain. Recovery efforts are currently underway to transport his remains from the remote location.

Nina Pancoe, the climber's wife and mother of their two children, shared her heartbreaking experience through social media. Her emotional tribute revealed the devastating moment she received the satellite phone call bearing the tragic news. She emphasized her late husband's unwavering spirit and dedication to making a positive impact despite his health challenges.

Wife's moving tribute highlights climber's legacy

Nina Pancoe wrote on Instagram:

Through your own battles of having a brain tumor and leukemia you never let that stop you. You lived each day to the fullest making an impact on the world around you. You are the kindest, sweetest, most passionate person I have ever met. You died doing something you loved in a place that you loved. People always asked me how could you let him climb and my response was because it was his passion and something that he absolutely loved.

Madison Mountaineering's statement highlighted Pancoe's role as a devoted father who frequently spoke about his children with deep affection. The organization expressed profound sorrow over the loss of their teammate and friend, extending condolences to his grieving family. Their Facebook post emphasized the sudden nature of his passing, noting how he had been thoroughly enjoying the expedition until moments before becoming unresponsive.

Mount Makalu climbing tragedy aftermath

The challenging conditions at Mount Makalu, combined with its extreme altitude, create significant risks for even the most experienced climbers. Nepal's tourism board confirms the peak's status as the fifth-tallest mountain globally, presenting unique challenges to those attempting its conquest. Pancoe's team faced these challenges while pursuing both personal achievement and philanthropic goals.

Expedition organizers from Madison Mountaineering and Himalayan Guides have been coordinating with local authorities to manage the aftermath of this tragic event. Their immediate focus remains on supporting Pancoe's family and facilitating the complex logistics of recovering his remains from the mountain's high-altitude camp. The climbing community has rallied to offer assistance and express their condolences.

The incident has sparked discussions about the inherent risks of high-altitude climbing, particularly for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. However, Pancoe's wife emphasized that his passion for mountaineering was an integral part of his identity and mission to help others.

Final moments and lasting impact

Alex Pancoe's sudden passing occurred at Camp 2 on Mount Makalu during his mission to raise funds for pediatric blood cancer research. The 39-year-old American mountaineer, who had previously conquered the highest peaks on seven continents, died while pursuing his passion for climbing and philanthropy.

His legacy encompasses both his remarkable achievements in mountaineering and his dedication to charitable causes, particularly supporting medical research for conditions he personally battled.

The climbing community, his family, and beneficiaries of his philanthropic efforts continue to honor his memory and the inspiring example he set through his determined pursuit of challenging goals despite health obstacles.