Tragedy struck Mount Shasta on September 12 when 45-year-old Argentinian tech CEO Matias Augusto Travizano fell 3,000 feet to his death while descending the iconic Northern California peak. Travizano, who had successfully reached the 14,162-foot summit, lost his life in what authorities describe as a series of missteps on the icy Wintun Glacier during his descent.

Story Highlights:

• Matias Augusto Travizano fell 3,000 feet from Mount Shasta during his descent.

• GranData CEO became stranded on the Wintun Glacier with two hiking companions.

• Travizano survived an initial 300-foot fall but slipped further off another edge.

• California Highway Patrol recovered his body at the base of the glacier.

• Travizano, a trained physicist and entrepreneur, was also an adviser to Argentina’s President Javier Milei.

Travizano had been descending the “non-technical” Clear Creek Trail, a route considered one of Mount Shasta’s safer paths. He was accompanied by two strangers during the hike. However, according to reports by The San Francisco Chronicle, the GranData CEO veered from the main trail and became stranded on the treacherous Wintun Glacier.

Authorities said that Travizano and his companions attempted to slide down the icy slope in search of a safer area. It was during this maneuver that Travizano initially lost control and fell 300 feet, hitting a boulder. Witnesses noted that he regained consciousness about ten minutes later.

Tragically, while trying to move again, Travizano slipped and fell further, disappearing from view. His body was eventually found at the base of the glacier by the California Highway Patrol helicopter unit.

A statement from the sheriff’s office highlighted the dangers:
“While the Clear Creek Route is considered one of the mountain’s safer trails, climbers can become disoriented in low-visibility conditions, especially when descending from the summit plateau. Once off the trail, hikers often wander into more hazardous areas, such as the Ash Creek or Mud Creek drainages, where accidents are more likely to occur.”

Matias Augusto Travizano was not only a prominent entrepreneur but also a trained physicist. He founded and served as CEO of GranData, a San Francisco-based data analytics company. His expertise extended beyond the private sector. In 2024, he was appointed as a government adviser in Argentina by President Javier Milei and played a key role in organizing the politician’s first tour of Silicon Valley.

Experts say that even “non-technical” trails on Mount Shasta can become extremely dangerous in poor visibility or icy conditions. The Wintun Glacier, where Travizano’s accident occurred, is known for its slippery surfaces and hidden crevasses, which can make descending hazardous even for experienced climbers.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in high-altitude hiking and mountaineering. Matias Augusto Travizano’s death on Mount Shasta has shocked the tech and climbing communities alike, highlighting the unpredictability of mountain terrain and the importance of careful planning and safety measures on even seemingly safe trails.

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