Third Death on Everest Brings Nepal’s May Climbing Fatalities to Five

KATHMANDU — Tragedy struck Mount Everest once⁢ again as a Nepali Sherpa guide lost his life after falling into a crevasse. This marks‍ the third fatality⁤ on the world’s highest⁤ peak in just two weeks. Surprisingly, climbers ‌remain undeterred⁤ by ⁢the travel disruptions caused ⁤by ⁣the ongoing ⁢Middle​ East conflict, officials reported on Tuesday.

Experienced climbers from the Expedition Operators’ Association of Nepal are gearing up to secure ropes on the ‌route to the summit by the end of ⁤the week. This will enable climbers‍ to commence their ascent, provided the ⁤weather conditions ‌are favorable,‌ according to hiking officials.

“Despite the ⁤Middle ​East conflict causing disruptions in travel and tourism, Everest continues to attract an increasing​ number of climbers,” stated Himal Gautam, ⁣an official from⁢ Nepal’s tourism ⁤department.

Nepal has opened over 400 Himalayan peaks ⁤to climbers. ⁢However,‌ only just over two dozen peaks, including the 29,032 ft tall Everest, are the most sought ⁣after.

This climbing season, which runs from April to ‌May,⁢ authorities have issued 492 permits for ‌Everest​ at a cost⁢ of $15,000‌ each, Gautam‍ added. This is an increase from the 478 permits issued in 2023, which itself was higher than the numbers from the two preceding years.

The recent death ⁣brings the season’s ⁣total⁤ to five among Himalayan​ climbers ⁤in the economically ​challenged South Asian nation.​ The country relies heavily on aid, ‍remittances, ⁣and tourism, with climbing being a‍ significant source of income and employment.

Phura‌ Gyaljen Sherpa, aged 21,‌ met his untimely ⁤death after slipping ​on the snow and falling into ⁣a crevasse near Camp III on Everest,‌ which is situated at approximately 23,620 ft, informed Nisha Thapa Rawat, another official from the tourism department.

Earlier, another Nepali⁣ climber, Bijay Ghimire Bishwakarma, 35, lost his life during‌ an acclimatization exercise at the mountain’s Khumbu icefall. Additionally, 51-year-old Lakpa Dendi Sherpa ‍passed away en route ⁣to the ‌base camp earlier this month, hiking officials reported.

Last week, American climber Johannesen Shelley, 53, ‍died on Mount‍ Makalu, the world’s fifth tallest peak, standing at ⁢27,765 ft. David Ronbinek⁣ from the ⁣Czech Republic also lost⁣ his life on the nearby Makalu II, ‌which is 25,190 ft⁣ high, officials reported.

No⁢ further details were provided.

In April, a massive block of⁤ ice, along with smaller ⁣chunks, delayed ⁤the opening of the route to Everest’s summit by nearly two weeks. This left hundreds of climbers stranded at the base camp.