From: Toronto woman dies on Mount Everest - Josh Tapper - Toronto Star - May 22, 2012 (edited)
Shriya Shah-Klorfine dreamed of scaling the world’s tallest peak. On Saturday, she unfurled Canada’s flag at the summit of Mt Everest.
A few hours later she died from exhaustion.
She was remembered by friends for her perseverance and relentless work ethic. Her training regimen included daily 19-kilometre runs carrying a 20- kilogram pack.
“She never let her dream be lost,” said friend Bikram Lamba. “She transferred the dream into reality.”
About 150 climbers attempted to reach the summit over the weekend.
“With the traffic jam, climbers had a longer wait for their chance to go up the trail and spent too much time at a higher altitude. Many of them are believed to be carrying a limited amount of oxygen, not anticipating the extra time spent.”
80% of Everest deaths occur in the final stretch because of its low oxygen level.
Bruce Klorfine said: “My wife was someone who lived life to its fullest, with irrepressible energy and vitality."
In 2011, she participated in a five-day hunger strike to protest skyrocketing auto insurance premiums. She collapsed after four days but returned to the strike after her release from hospital.
For the last two years, she squeezed in seven hours of training each day before running her business in the late evening.
She also mortgaged her home to cover climbing costs.
Priya Ahuja, a close friend, said nothing could hold her back.
“She would say: Life, you’ve just got one, just try to live it. ”
Of course, some might say: Life, you've just got one. Don't throw it away.







