Famous mountaineer Ueli Steck died near Everest.

Famous Swiss mountaineer Ueli Steck fell to his death while attempting to conquer a mountain near Everest – known as the 'roof of the world'.

According to Nepalese authorities, renowned Swiss mountaineer Ueli Steck unexpectedly slipped and fell from an altitude of 1000 meters down Mount Nuptse on Everest during his ascent to the summit. The mountaineer died at the age of 40. His body has been transported to Kathmandu, Nepal, and then to Lukla, home to the only airport in the Everest region.

Officials have not yet investigated the circumstances of Ueli Steck's death. However, the athlete had planned to climb Mount Everest (8850m) and the nearby Lhotse next month. He was also the first victim of the spring climbing season in Nepal, which runs from March to May.

A portrait of the ill-fated and famous Swiss mountaineer Ueli Steck.

Ueli Steck is one of the most famous mountaineers of his generation. He is renowned for his climbing speed, having conquered the north face of the Eiger – an ancient mountain in the Bernese Alps. He set a record for climbing it in just 2 hours and 47 minutes without using ropes.

In 2013, this mountaineer also attracted attention when he became the first person to conquer Annapurna in Nepal, the 10th highest mountain in the world. Notably, he did so without the use of oxygen tanks. He subsequently received the "Piolet d'Or" award – considered the Oscar of mountaineering.

In 2015, the Swiss mountaineer decided to climb all 82 peaks of the Alps, all over 4000m high. He even traveled between the mountain ranges on foot, by bicycle, and by paragliding. After completing the plan in 62 days, he further solidified his title as the "Swiss Machine."

In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger last month, he stated, "Of course I want to climb Everest and Lhotse. That's a huge goal. If I don't achieve it, I will die and never return."

According to Dantri