(Image source from: Facebook.com/okanogancountysheriffoffice)
Vishnu Irigireddy, a tech professional of Indian descent, was one of three individuals who tragically lost their lives in a climbing incident in the North Cascades Range of Washington state. Aged 48 and residing in Seattle, Vishnu was attempting to scale the North Early Winters Spire with three friends—Tim Nguyen, 63, Oleksander Martynenko, 36, and Anton Tselykh, 38—when the accident occurred on Saturday, as reported by NBC News. The group noticed an approaching storm and began their descent, but during the retreat, their anchor point failed, causing them to fall approximately 200 feet, according to a climbing website.
Tselykh, the only climber to survive, managed to endure the perilous drop and drove 64 kilometers to alert the authorities about the incident that claimed the lives of his friends. Those close to Vishnu characterized him as an adept climber who derived joy and purpose from nature. A tribute from family and friends on remembr.com noted that Vishnu, originally from India, was a proud part of Seattle’s dynamic tech and cultural communities, living a life embodying values such as integrity, compassion, and a continuous drive for personal growth. His cremation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, and in his honor, his loved ones plan to donate to two non-profit organizations, as he had developed a strong passion for mountaineering throughout his life. They urged others to contribute to these charities until May 22.
Vishnu held the position of Vice President of Engineering at Fluke Corporation, a manufacturing company specializing in test equipment located in the Greater Seattle Area. Following his passing, the company released a statement praising him as an exceptional leader and expressing that his absence was felt deeply throughout the organization. Tselykh is currently hospitalized, receiving treatment for internal bleeding and a traumatic brain injury. North Early Winters Spire, located in the Liberty Bell group of the North Cascades, is favored by seasoned climbers.
