Valery Khrichtchatyi was killed in a massive ice fall/avalanche that struck off Chapaev Peak on Semenovskii glacier on August 4, 1993 while attempting to summit Khan-Tengri (7,010 m). Khrichtchatyi's long-time friend Ilia Iodes and two British climbers also met their deaths. The body of one Englishman was recovered, but the others including Khrichtchatyi were never found. That same summer Khrichtchatyi was planning a solo speed climb of the north wall of Khan Tengri.