HE HAD already climbed many of the world's tallest mountains, but Mick Parker had just started to gain the respect of fellow mountaineers when he died, a former climbing partner said.

The Australian mountaineer, 36, with a "purist" streak had just successfully scaled Makalu in Nepal - the world's fifth-highest mountain - on May 21, without the aid of oxygen or Sherpas.

He had returned to Kathmandu a few days later, but reportedly developed oedema - a build-up of fluid - and died last Thursday.

Friends and fellow climbers yesterday described Parker as a tough and skilled climber.

The graphic designer from Melbourne had successfully scaled five peaks over 8000 metres, and had attempted eight others, including Mount Everest, without sherpas or oxygen.

"He wasn't that well known [among mountaineers] but it wasn't until the last four or five years that he got success," said Zac Zaharias, a friend, fellow mountaineer and climbing writer.

"He'd served his apprenticeship on the biggest mountains and I think he was just at the cusp of becoming quite accomplished."

Zaharias, who led a team of climbers including Parker in Pakistan in 2007, said it was not yet known exactly why he had died. It was unlikely it was linked to his Makalu climb, he said.

Just days before he died, Parker was seen walking into a pub in Kathmandu and even spoke of climbing Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain after Mount Everest and K2.

"My last night in Kathmandu saw several of us coming out of Sam's Pub after a last drink. Mick was just coming in, but walked me back to my hotel," wrote experienced climber Mick Farris on his blog, The Al***ude Experience.

"He asked if I wanted to go to Kangchenjunga; I told him it was unlikely!"

Zaharias said Parker preferred the challenge and close companionship of climbing in smaller groups, such as his two-man climb of Makalu with Briton Roland Hunter.

"He loved being more personal and one-on-one and I don't think in bigger groups the dynamics worked for him," Zaharias said.

Parker's decision to take on mountains without oxygen or sherpas also reflected his "purist" approach to climbing, Zaharias said.

Parker's father, Bruce Parker, told News Ltd his son loved climbing but shunned the limelight.

Article Source: http://www.smh.com.au

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