Latter-day Saint Man Passes Away on Mount Everest After Accomplishing Dream of Scaling the 7 Summits

52481.jpg

Donald Lynn Cash had a dream of summitting the highest peak on each of the world’s seven continents. On Wednesday, he achieved that dream by climbing to the peak of Mount Everest, but shortly after his summit, the 55-year-old member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints suffered what his family believes was a heart attack. Despite the mountain guides’ attempts to save Cash’s life with CPR and oxygen, he ultimately passed away Wednesday on Mount Everest, where his body will remain.

After receiving the news, Cash’s daughters have shared messages publicly on Facebook about the loss of their father.

“My heart is heavy but also an indescribable peace has consumed me. My dad died early this morning at the peak of Mt. Everest accomplishing his dream of summiting the 7 summits,” Danielle Cash Cook wrote. “This was his final summit and he made it! . . . I am so thankful for my knowledge and understanding of the Plan of Salvation, of peace, hope, love and ultimately my knowledge of the Savior!”

“There are no words to describe what we feel, a mix of everything for sure. So much gratitude and appreciation for all those who have reached out in love and faith and prayers for me and my family. The support has been magnificent and I love hearing just how wide my dad’s range of influence goes. I know he is in God’s hands,” Brandi Cash added.

Cash’s passing has attracted national media attention, including an interview with three of his children on NBC News. His children spoke of the final texts Cash sent to his family, including a text to his wife thanking her for supporting him in his dreams, as well as a text to his son, Tanner, that said, “I feel so blessed to be on this mountain that I read about for 40 years.”

Share
Stay in the loop!
Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content