Daughter of Seattle climber who died on Mt. Everest reflects on his life, legacy
Maya Sugarman told KING 5 that her father’s motivation to follow her dreams was one she will always remember.
SEATTLE — For the first time, we received word from the family of a Seattle man who died climbing Everest earlier this week.
Dr. Jonathan Sugarman, 69, died at Camp 2, an altitude of just under 21,000 feet.
Maya Sugarman, the daughter of Dr. Sugarman, said: “You know, he really lived a wonderful life.
On Saturday, KING 5 spoke privately with Maya as she reflected on the good times she spent with her father.
“Unfortunately, most of us go through the loss of a parent at some point and I think the only thing you can really turn to, for solace, are the good memories, the lessons. , joy and everything along the way,” Maya said.
She describes her father as a man of mountains and mountains of a man.
“He has climbed Rainier 13 times, he has climbed Denali, the highest mountain in North America, Aconcagua in South America, has done several expeditions in Nepal and feels that he has all the skills. skills and experience to try to conquer Mount Everest. ,” she said.
Dr. Sugarman is pursuing the goal of climbing Mount Everest on this recent expedition. But unfortunately, May 1st will mark his last.
“This is really shocking for our family. I can’t begin to describe how terrible that day was. The worst day of my life,” Maya said.
Maya said the family was informed by the expedition team and the Nepalese consulate of her father’s death. She believes altitude sickness may have played a role in his death.
Maya said: “Had passed away doing something he loved so much that we know he did everything he could to prepare for this journey, that he was passionate and this is what he is doing. follow your dream”.
It was her father’s motivation to pursue the dreams she would carry with her.
“He’s had a lot of fun from the journey he’s been on, and I think he’ll wish the spirit of adventure, discipline, and pursuit of goals to others and I know as his daughter, that’s also what I aspire to,” Maya said.
Maya said the family was able to retrieve his body from Camp 2 and is in the process of planning a memorial.
