Sad Week in Talkeetna

Word spreads like wildfire in the climbing community, this week Talkeetna got a double whammy of bad news.

This morning we learned of the death of Joe Puryear, husband of Michelle O'Neill. Joe and Michelle were married here in Talkeetna and have many close friends here, all over Alaska and all over the world. Michelle is with Joe's family, close friends are there to help them through this difficult time. We will keep you posted when memorial arrangements have been made.

We also lost Chhewang Nima Sherpa, who was a National Park Service volunteer with the Mountaineering Rangers here on Denali and a friendly face here in Talkeetna.
Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of these two gentle individuals.

Here are some links with the latest news and some more info about each of them:
http://ktna.org/2010/10/27/mountaineer-puryear-dies-in-tibet/
http://climbnepal.blogspot.com/
http://www.planetmountain.com/english/News/shownews1.lasso?l=2&keyid=37684
http://www.sherpamagic.com/

Namaste
~Julia