Google Exec, Adventurer Tragically Killed In Mt. Everest Avalanche

Friends, family and the Mountain View-based Google community today are mourning the loss of spirited and adventurous executive Dan Fredinburg, who died in a Mount Everest avalanche that was triggered by Nepal’s massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

Fredinburg worked on privacy for Google X and product management for the overall privacy team, Re/code reported.

He was in Nepal with three other Google employees hiking Mount Everest when the earthquake hit, Google Privacy Director Lawrence You said in a statement.

An avalanche struck the base camp during the earthquake and its aftershocks, resulting in injuries for two others climbing Everest with Fredinburg, according to the mountaineering company, Jagged Globe. The three other Google employees who were with Fredinburg at the time are safe and You said the company is working to get them home quickly.

His sister this afternoon confirmed Fredinburg’s death on his Instagram account.

“This is Dan’s little sister Megan. I regret to inform all who loved him that during the avalanche on Everest early this morning our Dan suffered from a major head injury and didn’t make it. We appreciate all of the love that has been sent our way thus far and know his soul and his spirit will live on in so many of us. All our love and thanks to those who shared this life with our favorite hilarious strong willed man. He was and is everything to us. Thank you.”

Fredinburg was among several hikers killed on Everest following the quake in Nepal.

The earthquake struck around noon local time, with the epicenter in the Lamjung district of Nepal, according to officials at the United Nations. The government of Nepal is reporting 700 to 1,000 people dead, though the death toll is expected to increase, according to a United Nations report.

Google has launched a “person finder” for Nepal and is committing $1 million to the response, You said.

More on the highly regarded Fredinburg and his lust for life can be found here.

Photo courtesy of Dan Fredinburg Athlete Facebook page.

Bay City News contributed to this report.