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A Canberra father has died only a few hundred metres from reaching the summit while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Jon Clarke, 60, died from altitude sickness on the famous mountain in Tanzania on February 29.
He was on his final ascent alongside his best friend when he began finding it difficult to breathe, his son Alexander Clarke told 7NEWS.com.au. He turned around but collapsed on the climb down. Numerous CPR attempts were unsuccessful. Alexander said his father had been training for months for the climb. Just before turning around, he had told his friend: “Just get me to the top.” Jon’s family were unaware of his death until they received a call from an unknown number in Tanzania about midnight on March 2. “It was Jon’s best friend who was accompanying him on the climb, he informed ... our mother of what had happened,” Alexander said. Alexander said his dad was an “avid walker” who had prepared for the climb by walking three hours a day up Mount Taylor and around Lake Tuggeranong in Canberra. “ had been training for over six months in preparation for this climb,” he said. “He had purchased the appropriate gear, bottles, clothing and bags. He also bought a gym membership and went a few times a week. “Overall, he had gone above and beyond being prepared and, if anything, was overprepared and trained to climb the mountain.” Alexander said Jon would often walk with his wife of 31 years, Jenene, who he met on a Contiki tour. The pair would discuss post-retirement plans including destinations they wanted to travel to. “Embracing in conversation about retirement on these walks was the most happy I saw my parents and was a testament to their long-lasting love,” Alexander said. He described his father as a “hardworking” and “dedicated” man who always put his family first. “I genuinely couldn’t think of anything that would have made him a better father. He was the greatest dad in the world,” Alexander said. “He was a people-person who made and had connections everywhere in Canberra. Anywhere we went ,our father would see someone who knew or worked with and they would always comment to me about what a great man he was.” The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of Jon’s death and was providing consular assistance to his family. “We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” it said.
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