British climber Daniel Paul Paterson said he was ‘happiest in the mountains’ before Everest disaster

A 40-year-old British fitness fanatic and his 23-year-old guide are missing after an iceberg swept them off the north face of Mount Everest on Tuesday.

Daniel Paul Paterson and his Sherpa guide Pas Tenji Sherpa had reached the summit early Tuesday morning, but disaster struck during their descent: an ice collapse near the South Summit brought down the climbers.

“Eyewitnesses reported that the incident took place between Summit Ridge and South Summit and some climbers were swept up Kangshung Face,” Lakpa Sherpa of 8K Expeditions posted on social media. The missing pair were part of a 15-member team with 8K Expeditions.

“I’ve been in the fitness industry and a personal trainer since 2007,” Paterson’s online bio reads. “During this time I have worked at several top gyms and worked under many top trainers and coaches… I have now been self employed since 2009 and have opened Physique personal training, Wakefield Crossfit and Millenia Fitness. I love the industry and I live and breathe what I do. I am eternally grateful for what CrossFit has done for my personal development as both a coach and an athlete. I would recommend her to anyone.”

Three other climbers who had been swept away by the ice were later rescued, according to the Everest Chronicle, which quoted Ngaa Tenji Sherpa, founder of Summit Force.

Authorities must wait for the other climbers to descend to learn more about the incident; one of them is expected to reach base camp on Wednesday evening.

“Our dedicated search and rescue teams are deployed on the ground. They are working tirelessly to find our missing climbers. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time,” 8K Expeditions said.

Lakpa Sherpa did not respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment on Wednesday. Paterson’s business partner and colleagues at Wakefield CrossFit in West Yorkshire, England, did not return messages and emails seeking comment.

However, Paterson’s social media posts suggest his Everest expedition was the culmination of a long-held dream.

“Words mean nothing without action,” Paterson wrote on April 11, following with the hashtags: #followyourdreams #climbing #achieve #succeed #dowhatyoulove #dowhatmakesyouhappy #goals #everest #mountains #nepal #amadaboublam #lhotse #islandpeak8peditions #islandpeak8exlo

“The Himalayas are a special place,” he posted two days later.

“Happiest in the mountains,” Paterson posted a day later.

On 7 May, Paterson wrote that he was “looking forward to a window at the top”.

At the same time, Paterson was raising money for two boys and a partner left behind by a friend who died of cancer earlier this year.

“Jen was a truly inspirational lady and will forever live on in our hearts,” said the GoFundMe, which had raised nearly $13,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. “Jen was a true warrior who throughout her treatment continued to defy the odds with her positive attitude and continued to train hard until she was no longer able to do so. He loved the gym and that meant everything to us. It was her escape from treatment and the constant nasty hands she was dealt, but her smile never wavered and we are absolutely honored to know her and call her our friend.”

Paterson’s last Instagram message, posted a week ago from Everest Base Camp, expressed his amazement at his surroundings.

“Made it back to base camp on 🚁,” Paterson wrote. “The base camp is enormous (1.5 miles long) and this year houses 415 climbers and all Sherpas/porters/kitchen staff/management. It is literally a mini city at 5,364m high. It takes 8 days for trekkers to reach Everest Base Camp and it is 32 miles from Lukla. Porters, mules, yaks and helicopters bring it all to this tent city that caters to everyone who stays here. A logistical masterpiece.”