Naperville resident dies climbing Mt. McKinley

As a teenager running cross-country, Jim Nasti began building the kind of endurance that later would help him ascend to incredible heights - literally.

In fact, at 51, the Naperville man was near his goal of climbing to the highest points in all 50 states when he died Friday after reaching the 49th - the summit of burly Mount McKinley in Alaska.

"The main thing we can take comfort in is knowing he died doing something he loved," his oldest son, Chris Nasti, said Monday, "and that he died after reaching the summit."

Authorities said Jim Nasti collapsed late Friday on the 20,320-foot summit while on a 23-day expedition with his friend, Mark Novak, also of Naperville.

The two guides leading the expedition for Alpine Ascents International later reported Nasti seemed in good health before the collapse and did not complain of distress. They administered CPR for 45 minutes, but officials said Nasti did not regain a pulse.

His son, Chris, said his father did not have a history of heart disease or other related health problems. In fact, he said Nasti did well on a stress test just two years ago.

"It's the last thing that anyone who knew him would ever think for a cause of death," Chris Nasti said.

A recovery at such an extreme elevation along the knife point-like ridge and at this time of year - the last week of climbing - would require a highly skilled technical rescue team and rope-rigging system. Given the risk, authorities at Denali National Park have decided to leave Nasti's body on the mountain.

On Sunday, tour guides buried Nasti under snow so that his remains were not exposed. A GPS satellite was used to mark the exact burial site should recovery be attempted next spring when the climbing season begins again.

"There's just too great of a risk to ground rescue or a helicopter at that elevation and that terrain," said Maureen McLaughlin, a Denali National Park spokeswoman. "The family understands the risks involved at this point and time. He will in all likelihood remain there until the foreseeable future."

Authorities said Nasti is the 101st mountaineer to die on Mount McKinley, which is North America's highest peak, and the first to fatally collapse on its summit. His is the 38th body to be left there and many of the other 37 were never recovered. In 1988, a climber died at 19,600 feet on a descent from the summit.

Jim Nasti was born in Chicago but grew up in Elmhurst, where he graduated from York High School. He met his wife, Peggy, while both attended the University of Illinois. The two were married 29 years and raised three sons, Chris, 24; Joe, 22; and Mike, 19. All three graduated from Naperville North High School and the University of Illinois.

Nasti worked as a senior finance manager for Kraft Foods in Northfield.

"We are very saddened about the tragic news of the passing of our friend and colleague," said Lisa Gibbons, a company spokeswoman, in a written statement. "Kraft was fortunate to have Jim as part of its finance organization at its global headquarters in Northfield for nearly four years. Our deepest sympathies go out to Jim's family, friends and colleagues. He will be deeply missed."

Chris Nasti said his father, always an athletic outdoorsman, joined the Highpointers Club 11 years ago. The group's members aim to reach the highest point in all 50 states.

Mount McKinley was his 49th summit. The only state he had yet to add to his list was North Dakota, which is an easier climb, and Chris Nasti said his father planned to try it soon.

The family supported Nasti's passion for climbing, his son said, and often accompanied him on his trips. Jim Nasti also loved photography, reading and camping. When his children were younger, he coached them in soccer and led Boy Scout Troop 107, which is where he met Novak, his climbing buddy.

"He was a great father," Chris Nasti said. "He was incredibly tough from a mental standpoint and very goal driven. One of the things we wonder is, if it was a heart attack, if he was feeling the symptoms and pushed through it or if it came on suddenly."

Chris Nasti said officers with the Naperville Police Department notified the family Saturday morning. The family will hold a memorial service at 10 a.m. July 19 at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Road, Naperville. The service is open to the public.