Death toll increases as a US mountaineer dies on Everest

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MOUNTAIN CLIMBING Death toll increases as a US mountaineer dies on Everest

Abigael Wafula 14:20 - 02.05.2023

On average, around five climbers die every year on the world's highest peak.

Jonathan Sugarman, a US mountaineer, is the fourth fatality on the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, during this climbing season.

As reported by AFP, his expedition organiser said that the 69-year-old was on an acclimatization rotation at around 6,400m (21,000 feet) when he lost his life on Monday, May 1. Last year, Sugarman reached Camp 3 on Everest before abandoning a climb.

"He was feeling unwell and passed away at Camp 2. Efforts are underway to bring (back) his body. We are trying to send a helicopter but it is snowing and the weather is not favourable," Pasang Tshering Sherpa of Beyul Adventure said, as quoted by AFP.

This year's spring climbing season on Everest had a tragic start last month with the death of three Nepali climbers.

The trio were crossing the treacherous Khumbu icefall as part of a supply mission when a block of glacial ice fell and swept them into a deep crevasse.

Nepali guides, who are usually ethnic Sherpas from nearby valleys, are essential to the multimillion-dollar industry, bearing huge risks to prepare climbing routes and carry food and equipment.

Nepal has issued 466 permits to foreign climbers, and since most will need a guide, more than 900 people will try to summit this season, which runs until early June.

This could result in heavy traffic and bottlenecks en route to the summit, especially if there is a shorter climbing window because of unfavourable weather.

On average, around five climbers die every year on the world's highest peak but in 2019, 11 people died, with four of the deaths blamed on overcrowding.

Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm. It was reported that more than 600 climbers are aiming to summit other Himalayan mountains this season.

Last month Northern Irish climber Noel Hanna, 56, died on Annapurna, the world's 10th highest mountain, which has an even higher death rate than Everest.

A day later, record-holding Indian climber Baljeet Kaur, 28, and compatriot Arjun Vajpai, 30, were both rescued from Annapurna after a search lasting hours.

Later, a third Indian climber, Anurag Maloo, 34, was also rescued alive after falling 300 metres (985 feet) into a crevasse.

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