Body of American climber recovered from Bolivia’s second largest peak

Gulf Today Report

A 24-year-old American was found “seated at the summit” of Bolivia’s second largest mountain after his lungs collapsed during a climb.

Daniel Granberg died two days into the trek across Illimani, which is 6,402 metres in elevation and visible from La Paz, the Bolivian capital.

Sergio Condori Vallejos, a mountain guide who works with Bolivian Andean Rescue, told AP that Daniel was found “lifeless” and “seated at the summit,” which is part of Bolivia's Cordillera Real range.

"We found Daniel lifeless, seated at the summit. His lungs did not hold out; he couldn't get up to continue,” said Condori.
Daniel Granberg poses for a selfie at the basin just south of Trinity and Storm King Peaks in Silverton. File / AP

Condori said Granberg died at an altitude of 6,216 meters (20,391 feet) on the second day of a trek across the mountain, an iconic part of the view from Bolivia's capital, La Paz. He was on the longest and most difficult trail across the mountain, which involved scaling at least two of its peaks.

Granberg had arrived in Bolivia two months ago and had climbed several other peaks.

On his trip up Illimani, he was accompanied by two guides who sought help from rescuers, who needed two days to bring the body down the mountain. His body was brought to a morgue at a hospital in La Paz, according to members of the local fire department.