Seattle, WA: Vishnu Irigireddy, a 48-year-old Indian-origin tech executive, was one of three climbers who died in a tragic fall while descending the North Early Winters Spire in Washington State’s North Cascades Range.

Irigireddy, a seasoned climber and Vice President of Engineering at Fluke Corporation, had set out with three others on the popular climbing route when the accident occurred. According to reports, the group encountered an approaching storm and began their descent. During the process, a problem with their anchor system caused the climbers to fall approximately 200 feet, after which they tumbled an additional 200 feet down a steep ravine.

Only one member of the group, 38-year-old Anton Tselykh, survived. After regaining consciousness, Tselykh managed to reach his car and drive nearly 64 kilometers to seek help.

The incident highlights the dangers of mountaineering, even for experienced climbers, in unpredictable weather conditions.