Father of Three Dies During Endurance Climb in Wyoming

A 43-year-old banking executive from New York City lost his life after participating in an intense mountain challenge in Wyoming. Slava Leykind, from Westport, Connecticut, completed six ascents up Snow King Mountain, where each climb involved hiking 1,500 feet to mimic the elevation gain of Mount Everest.

During the event, Leykind suffered a cardiac arrest caused by an electrolyte imbalance. First responders intervened rapidly, and he was transported to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where he passed away on July 2.

The “Everesting” challenge is an extreme endurance event that requires hikers to repeatedly ascend and descend a mountain until reaching the total elevation of Mount Everest. Leykind managed to complete six laps before emergency services arrived. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his condition, attributed to an electrolyte imbalance.

He was a dedicated professional at CG Sawaya Partners, an investment bank based in New York, where he had worked for two decades. Leykind’s obituary highlights that his greatest pride was his role as a husband and father, cherishing and supporting his three children and bringing love to his family life.