Sad news from the Karakorum: Janez Svoljsak, a promising talent of the Slovenian climbing scene, died last weekend at the age of only 25 – asleep at the feet of the 6,651-meter-high Tahu Rutum in the Karakoram. Together with his Slovenian girlfriend Sara Jaklic, he had wanted to tackle the still unclimbed West Ridge of the mountain. According to Slovenian media reports Janez wheezed briefly while sleeping and then stopped breathing. All attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.
European Ice Climbing Champion
Obviously Svoljsak became a victim of high altitude sickness. The Slovenian had already been to the Karakoram in 2015 (among others with Luka Lindic) and had then, according to his own words, reached his highest point to date on the 6,200-meter-high Choktoi Peak. In 2016 Svoljsak was European Ice Climbing Champion, he also won World Cup competitions. Last spring he had opened five new routes with his compatriot Miha Zupin in Alaska.
