Min Bahadur Sherchan, from Nepal, first climbed to the summit of the famous Himalayan mountain when he was 79-years-old in 2008.
That climb awarded Min the title of being the oldest person to ever reach the top of Mount Everest.
Min after completing his climb in 2008. Credit: PA
But unfortunately for him, he had to hand over the crown in 2012 when Japanese climber Yuichiro Miura completed the feat at an impressive 80-years-old.
Well Min wasn't going to settle for second-best and set out to reclaim the title.
The BBC reports that Min first started his campaign to be the oldest person to climb Everest in 2013, but weather conditions worsened and he had to abandon the attempt.
He was on his way for another try in 2015 until the Nepal earthquake erupted, forcing him and many other climbs to wait until conditions improved.
While it may seem like a petty feud between two elderly mountain climbers, Min told Germany's DPA: "I want to climb Everest to set a record so that it will inspire people to dream big. This will instil a sense of pride among old people like me.
"My climb will demonstrate that age doesn't stop you from realising your goal."
Credit: PA
ITV reports the 85-year-old has been training for months for the mission and before setting off, he didn't suffer any respiratory problems and his blood pressure was normal.
But officials say the grandfather of 17 died at base camp. It's not yet clear what caused the death but it's believed to have been cardiac arrest.
People took to social media to praise Min for proving that age is just a number:
The death comes a little more than a week since Swiss climber Ueli Steck died while trying to acclimatise for a climb up Everest without oxygen support.
The 40-year-old, nicknamed the 'Swiss Machine' had received several awards for mountain climbing. He was hoping to climb a side of Everest which has more deaths than successful attempts.
Featured Image Credit: PA
