Millionaire banker, 43, dies after hiking up and down mountain SIX times in a row

A millionaire dad-of-three died after walking up and down a mountain six times in a bid to trek the distance of famed Mount Everest.

Slava Leykind died after participating in an advanced endurance event and hiking up a Wyoming mountain six times in quick succession. The millionaire banker from Westport, Connecticut, passed away on July 2 at a hospital in Idaho, just days after participating in the ‘Everesting’ challenge at Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The challenge requires participants to climb a total of 29,029 feet—the approximate height of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, which stands at 29,032 feet — within 36 hours. According to the 29029 Everesting website, the challenge in Jackson Hole is described as: “A straight shot up under the gondola makes this one of the most direct ascent routes in the 29029 family."

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"Short and steep, this mountain asks for 19 climbs to reach Everest. The majority of the trail consists of hard packed dirt, gravel, and grass. The summit offers stunning views looking back at the Tetons.”

Aiming to replicate the experience of climbing Mount Everest, participants are expected to scale Snow King Mountain 19 times. After each successful ascent, challengers are transported back to base camp via gondola.

With the endurance event commencing at 6am on June 27, Leykind successfully managed to ascend Snow King Mountain six times before he started feeling unwell, as reported by Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Jackson Hole Fire and EMS were dispatched to the mountain at 11.28 pm to provide medical assistance and transport. Leykind died as a result of "an electrolyte imbalance causing cardiac arrest," according to Teton County Coroner Brent Blue. The father of three, who lived in Westport with his wife, Amy Keller Leykind, and their children, had worked at New York-based investment firm CG Sawaya Partners, for 20 years.

Born in Minsk, USSR, in 1982, Leykind emigrated to the USA in 1988. The 43-year-old had a business administration degree from the University of Michigan and whilst his job was demanding, Leykind’s number one priority was his family.

Excerpts from Slava Leykind’s obituary read: “Slava Leykind, 43, of Westport, passed away on July 2 from complications sustained while participating in a mountain endurance event earlier that week. A perfect soulmate for over two decades to Amy Keller Leykind, and superhuman father to Charlotte, Eloise and Jonah Leykind.

“Despite his significant professional success at a young age, Slava’s role as a husband and father was his greatest achievement, passion and pride. He fervently supported his children, bringing love and a sense of calm to the wonderful chaos of a full house. Slava was the pride and joy of his parents, Art and Nelly Leykind, and of his two older brothers, Gene and Max.”

While the exact type of electrolyte imbalance that led to Leykind’s death remains unclear, athletes subjected to extreme exertion are often known to develop hyponatremia, a condition stemming from low sodium levels in the blood.

Hyponatremia may be caused by a variety of things including but not limited to hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, and medications. Its sudden onset can also be brought on by drinking too much water during or after extreme exercise.

At endurance events like the one Leykind participated in, medical teams trained on the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia are always on site. Symptoms include lightheadedness, nausea, headache, vomiting and an altered mental state, including confusion and seizures. These symptoms sometimes mimic dehydration, but certain tests can differentiate the two issues. It is not clear what treatment Leykind received, but if treated incorrectly, hyponatremia can be deadly.

Medical teams trained to recognize the signs of hyponatremia are always present at endurance events such as ‘Everesting’. The condition can present with symptoms such as nausea, headaches, vomiting, lightheadedness, and altered mental states — including seizures and confusion. These symptoms can often resemble dehydration, however certain tests can be administered to distinguish between the two.