In spite of loads of snow and fighting exhaustion above C3. Don and his fellow rescuers were pressing on to Inaki and Ueli when the sad news reached them.

Emotionally distraught Don called his Support Team: "...He died! He died!... I can't believe it! He died!..." Then Don burst into tears and wept! Moments later as he tried to compose himself he exclaimed: "I've gotta go now. We have to get to Ueli. He needs our help!"

(MountEverest.net/Madrid) In spite off all efforts, Iñaki couldn't make it. Further pulmonary complications had worsened up his state, until he passed away at 12.30 pm, local time. Ueli Steck, the Swiss high altitude mountaineer, was with the sick Spaniard, trying to reanimate him until the end.

Don's heartfelt thoughts and prayers and sympathy goes out to Iñaki's family as well as to his home team, Horia Colibasanu (Iñaki's climbing mate) and all those who have supported and closely followed the extraordinary 8000 m career of Iñaki - a climbing ace!