Ollson, Thomas

Born in Kristinehamn, but raised in Borås ( flax Västra-Götaland ). Studying at school, became interested in sports and sporting events. Entering Linkoping University , he focused on skiing and climbing . In 2001, he received a master's degree in engineering, after which he moved to Chamonix in France to focus on skiing and mountaineering. Olsson specialized in extreme skiing in the highest and coolest mountains in the world. He conquered Aconcagua in Argentina (6960 m), Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan (7134 m), a volcano in Kamchatka in Russia, Muztag-Ata (7546 m) and Kuksai Peak (7134 m) in China , as well as Cho Oyu in Tibet ( 8201 m) the sixth highest eight-thousander of the world . In addition to skiing, Thomas gave lectures and worked on the development and promotion of products from the Norwegian brands Bergans and Silva.

Olsson’s ultimate goal, which he intended to achieve in spring 2006, was to be the first person in the world to ski down Everest along the mountain. In October-November 2004, Thomas was in Sweden, where he developed optimal communication and logistics solutions to achieve his goal. Then he went to Chamonix to adjust his shape in winter. As a training for an expedition to Everest in the summer of 2005, he climbed Mont Blanc (4810 m) and then returned to Sweden. At the end of March 2006, Olsson set off to conquer Everest with the Norwegian extreme skier Tormod Graneheim ].

In spring 2006, Thomas Olsson, with his Norwegian partner Thurmud Granheim and photographer Fredrik Schenholm, approached Everest from Tibet . To the top of the mountain (8848 m), Olsson climbed from the base camp, at an altitude of 6400 meters above sea level in 2 days. The route that he follows is known as the Mallory route, and usually requires climbers five days.

Olsson and Granheim reached Everest Peak on May 16, 2006. Then they set off on the north side, Norton’s couloir , steep 55 degrees and almost 3,000 meters high. Their route passed through the North Saddle and is one of the most difficult of all routes to the top of the mountain. On May 16, 2006, after a full day of climbing, Olsson and Granheim reached the summit. Despite their fatigue, they went skiing along the northern slope through the corridor of Norton at angles of 60 degrees and a huge decrease of 3,000 meters. Unfortunately, as soon as Olsson and Granheim went down about 460 meters, one of Olsson’s skis broke. When the partners tried to pass the rock crossing the corridor, the snow anchor could not stand it and broke, and Olsson fell about 2500 meters, crashed to death. Granheim continued the descent alone. A few days later, the Sherpa found Olsson's body at an altitude of 6,700 meters.

On May 16, 2016 , on the tenth anniversary of the death of Thomas Olsson, the sculpture in his memory was erected in Croxchallberget in the center of Borås. The sculpture, called Passion Extreme, was made in bronze by Swedish sculptor Richard Brixel commissioned by Andreas Swan and donated to Olsson's hometown.

• The list of victims of the ascent to Jomolungma

• Tomas Olsson - äventyrare & skidåkare (Swedish) . tomasolsson.com . - The site of the memory of Thomas Olsson . Date of treatment February 11, 2018.
• Everest 2006: Tomas Olsson is Missing on Everest . EverestNews.com . Date of treatment February 11, 2018.
• Ellie Mahoney. Tomas Olsson's body found on Everest . Chamonet.com (May 22, 2006). Date of treatment February 11, 2018.