Heinrich Harrer, Austrian mountaineer, geographer, and author, passed away on January 7, 2006 at the age of 93. Born in Austria in 1912, Harrer began mountaineering in the 1930s, joining expeditions to destinations including the Himalayas. In 1938, he and fellow climber Peter Aufschnaiter were arrested by British authorities in India while attempting to reach the summit of Nanga Parbat. After spending five years in a prison camp in India, the two were able to escape and continue their journey. Upon arrival in Tibet, the two were later welcomed into the monastery of Lhasa. Harrer's personal story was immortalized by his book, Seven Years in Tibet, which was later adapted into both film and radio. He wrote several other books, primarily about his life and travels, including My Life Before and After Tibet, Return to Tibet, and Tibet Is My Country. Harrer was the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He last resided in Friesach, Carinthia, Austria.