This week the Pacific Northwest climbing community is mourning the loss of two experienced and devoted climbers — 35-year-old Ben Watson and 51-year-old Jiri Richter. Both died while ascending in Mount Rainier National Park, doing what they loved most. The 4,392-meter (14,411-foot) peak is not only the highest point in Washington state but also a cultural landmark visible from many parts of Seattle. The surrounding national park, a World Heritage site, protects unique ecosystems and serves locals as a place of spiritual connection with nature and climbers from around the world as an important training ground. Their friends and loved ones remember them not only as masters of their craft but also as remarkably warm and inspiring people, always ready to help others.
The climbers’ bodies were found by search teams in the Wilson Glacier area at roughly 2,900 meters (9,514 feet). According to the medical examiner, the cause of death was blunt-force trauma, and the incident has been classified as an accident. Park officials said the investigation into the circumstances is ongoing, leaving questions about what exactly happened on the slope.
Ben Watson, an ecologist by profession, lived in Seattle and had been passionately in love with the mountains since childhood, as he used to joke. He moved to Washington from Virginia drawn by job opportunities but stayed for the majestic scenery. That blend of career and active outdoor life is characteristic of Seattle, where many tech workers live by a “work hard, play hard” ethos, taking advantage of proximity to the Cascades, the ocean, and the forests. Last year was incredibly full for Ben: he summited roughly two dozen peaks worldwide, from Canada to Ecuador, and in October he married his longtime partner, Renee Hamzi.
According to his wife and friends, Ben was a person of boundless enthusiasm. He could be thrilled by a summit view even in a full-blown blizzard, loved playing online chess, and always joked by placing plastic dinosaurs at friends’ doors after tough climbs to “cure their dinosaur fatigue.” His friendliness and openness helped him find many climbing partners, including Jiri Richter.
Jiri Richter, a software architect, moved to Seattle from the Czech Republic more than twenty years ago. He was not only a climber but also a respected instructor and leader in the local organization The Mountaineers. This nonprofit, founded in 1906, plays a key role in the community as an educational and conservation-focused center, offering mountaineering and outdoor courses, publishing guides, and advocating for wilderness preservation. Jiri volunteered his knowledge to newcomers in one of the region’s oldest and most respected organizations. Behind his outward reserve was a dry wit, generosity (he often treated friends to homemade baked goods), and deep dedication to his pursuits.
Climbing partners described Richter as an exceptionally competent and cautious climber who knew how to balance safety and efficiency perfectly. He had climbed Rainier many times and knew the mountain well, making his death all the more unexpected and tragic to those who knew him.
Beyond climbing, Jiri was an active member of the Pacific Northwest paragliding community. That group of free-flight enthusiasts gathers at locations such as Tiger Mountain near Seattle, the hills around Chilan, and coastal sites known for favorable conditions. He also enjoyed kitesurfing and windsurfing. Jiri traveled widely, bringing back thrilling stories from places ranging from Morocco to the Alps. Friends noted that he lived a rich and inspiring life many envied.
Friends’ memories are full of warm, vivid details. Andrew Ellis, a frequent partner of Richter’s, recalled their last climb together last summer when they forged their own route. At the summit the usually reserved Jiri pulled him into a tight hug, a sign of deep mutual respect. And one climber on social media remembered how, in the most grueling and exhausting moments, Watson was often the only one smiling in the photos.
Their deaths have been a heavy blow to the whole community. The loss of such experienced, careful, and life-loving people is a harsh reminder of nature’s relentless power. Ben Watson and Jiri Richter leave behind not only lists of peaks they conquered but also bright memories in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to share a trail, a rock, or a moment with them.
Based on: Men who died on Mount Rainier were prolific climbers