Gina Marie Rzucidlo
Born(1978-01-28)28 January 1978
Auburn, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died7 October 2023(2023-10-07) (aged 45)
Shishapangma, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Cause of deathAvalanche
NationalityAmerican
OccupationHigh altitude mountaineer
Known for
  • First American woman to climb all 3 highest peaks in the world
  • Attempted to become the first American woman to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 m (completed 13 peaks, died while attempting 14th and final peak)

Gina Marie Rzucidlo (January 28, 1978 – October 7, 2023) was an American high-altitude mountaineer. She is recognized for her pursuit to become the first American woman and the third American climber to climb all 14 of the eight-thousanders (which are peaks above 8,000 meters in elevation).[1][2]

Climbing

Rzucidlo successfully climbed Mount Everest in May 2018,[3] she then completed the Seven Summits in 2019 with an ascent of Carstensz Pyramid.[4] She completed K2 in 2022, becoming the first American woman to climb the world's three highest peaks. In 2023, she summited Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Nanga Parbat, becoming the first American woman to complete the latter.[4] In October 2023, she was climbing Shishapangma in Tibet, the last of the 14 peaks, accompanied by Tenjen Sherpa when an avalanche occurred. She was declared dead on October 7.[1][2] Anna Gutu, who was also in the last leg of competing for the title of the first American woman to climb all 14 summits, died in the avalanche, as well.[1]

In 2023, she took the Iranian Women Life Freedom flag to top of the Everest in support and to show Iranian women that they can fight for their freedom.[5]

Personal life

Rzucidlo was born in Auburn, Massachusetts,[6] and was one of seven children.[4] She received an associate degree in science in criminal justice from Quinsigamond Community College in 1999.[3][6] She lived in Manhattan prior to her death.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Squires, Nick (2023-10-11). "Rival mountaineers killed during final climb of world record attempt". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  2. 1 2 Muzaffar, Maroosha (2023-10-10). "Missing American climber declared dead after avalanche strikes Tibet mountain". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2023-10-15. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  3. 1 2 Law, Jason (2023-10-10). "'This was her dream:' A Mass. native died in avalanche while climbing Tibetan mountain". Boston 25 News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Sudborough, Susannah (2023-10-10). "Auburn native declared dead after going missing amid avalanches". Boston.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  5. ↑ Schneemann, Julia (2023-10-10). "Record Breaking Sherpa Tenjin Lama & American Climber Gina Marie Rzucidlo Confirmed Dead in Shishapangma Avalanche, Tibet". SnowBrains. Archived from the original on 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  6. 1 2 Elfland, Mike (2023-10-10). "Sister: Gina Rzucidlo, Auburn native and accomplished mountain climber, declared dead". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
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