February 10, 2023: Three climbers lost their lives while attempting to summit Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas, according to Argentine police. Ayn Vincent Day, a 41-year-old American mountaineer, died on Wednesday after disregarding his guide’s advice and reaching the nearly 23,000-foot peak. On Saturday, Moi Oystein from Norway became the first victim of the 2022-2023 climbing season, passing away after falling ill at La Cueva, which is located 6,000 meters above sea level. The next day, John Michael Magness, a 58-year-old American military veteran, also died after reaching Camp Independencia, which sits at an altitude of 6,300 meters.

John Michael Magness, one of the climbers who lost his life in Aconcagua, was a member of the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, an organization that provides support for veterans and their families through education expenses. Magness and two other Army veterans were taking part in the “Aconcagua Challenge” expedition to raise funds and awareness for the group. The Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund described Magness as a “classmate, teammate, and friend,” as well as a hero who dedicated his life to serving others.

Aconcagua, located near the Argentina-Chile border, is the tallest mountain outside of Asia and a sought-after goal for mountain climbers worldwide. It is one of the Seven Summits, a list of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.

According to Argentine media sources, five other mountaineers have died this season in the area of El Chalten, located in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz. Four of these climbers were foreigners.

In 2013, Tyler Armstrong, a 9-year-old from California, made headlines as the youngest person to ever scale Mt. Aconcagua.

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