On January 31, 2006 when Lafaille had been missing for a week, his base
camp support team concluded that he must have perished in his attempt
to make the first solo winter climb of the 27,765 foot Himalayan peak
Makalu. His wife flew over the mountain by helicopter and confirmed
that there was no longer any hope that he would be found alive. His
official date of death was determined to be January 27, 2006.