Updates/Dispatches
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American Mountaineer Dies on Makalu
A female American climber has died in an avalanche during a descent from the summit Makalu (8,463 m), the world’s fifth-highest mountain, while her Sherpa guide was injured in the incident. Shelley Johannesen, 53, from Oregon, USA, was struck by a small avalanche at around 7,000 metres on Sunday after successfully summiting the mountain on May 9. According to expedition officials, Shelley had reached the summit of Makalu at approximately 10:30 a.m. alongside David Ashley, Tawa Sherpa, and Phurba Sonam Sherpa. During the descent, the avalanche hit the team, killing Shelley and injuring Tawa Sherpa. The body of Shelley Johannesen […]
Nepali Mountaineer Dies on Everest
Nepali mountaineer Bijay Ghimire Bishwakarma has died on Everestthis morning, 10 May, 2026, after reportedly suffering from altitude sickness near Camp I on Mt Everest (8848.86 m). According Solukhumbu police, the mountaineer from Solududhkunda Municipality–7, from eastern Nepal suddenly fell seriously ill at around 4:00 AM near Camp I while ascending Everest. He reportedly died while being brought back toward Base Camp. Ghimire was a part of TAG Nepal Treks and Expeditions. His body was airlifted to Lukla by helicopter, and preparations are underway to transport him to Kathmandu for postmortem examination at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, officials said.
Early Morning Icefall Incident Leaves Climber, Guide Hurt
Two mountaineers were injured on Tuesday after a ice block swept through the Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest, according to the reports. The incident happened early this morning when a suspended ice block collapsed onto climbers moving upward toward higher camps. The injured have been identified as Pemba Thenduk Sherpa, 44, a guide from Sankhuwasabha, and Nimish Kumar Singh, 40, an Indian climber. Climbers and Sherpa teams from several expeditions were there for a rotation toward Camp II via the Khumbu Icefall. It was approximately 5:45 am when the incident happened. Rescue efforts were immediate. Sherpa staff from Pioneer Adventure […]
Czech Climber Dies on Makalu II
A Czech climber has died during an expedition in the Makalu region of eastern Nepal. David Roubínek, a participant on a Makalu II expedition, passed away yesterday while descending from Camp III, reportedly due to suspected high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). According to the expedition team, fellow climbers were present at the time of the incident and made immediate efforts to save him. Despite administering supplemental oxygen and other medical support at high altitude, they were unable to revive him. Other members of the expedition are reported safe and are currently at Base Camp (BC) and Advanced Base Camp (ABC). The […]
The Khumbu Icefall Route Is Officially Open
The Khumbu Icefall route is now open after the successful completion of route fixing to Camp I. The breakthrough follows earlier delays this spring season caused by unstable hanging serac blocks and difficult ice conditions above Everest Base Camp. The route has been fully established with ladders, ropes, and anchors by the SPCC Icefall Doctors, working with the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal. The secured pathway now serves the climbing routes of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. With the critical Icefall route was open, the route upto Camp II was also established yesterday, which will allow more than 500 climbers […]
Jim Whittaker, First American to Summit Everest, Dies at 97
Legendary American mountaineer Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest has died at the age of 97. He passed away on April 7 at his home in Port Townsend, Washington, according to family sources. Whittaker made history on May 1, 1963, when he reached the world’s highest peak alongside Sherpa Nawang Gombu, which made American mountaineering sector proud during the Cold War era. His ascent brought him national fame and inspired a generation of climbers worldwide. Born in Seattle in 1929, Whittaker began his climbing career at a young age and later became deeply involved with the outdoor […]
Nepal Issues Permits to 114 Climbers as Spring Mountaineering Season Begins
Nepal’s spring mountaineering season has already begun on with the government issuing expedition permits to 114 climbers from 28 countries in March alone, according to the official report released by the Department of Tourism, Nepal. The report shows that Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) leads in revenue generation, generating a total royalty of USD 270,000 (NRS 4.02 million). Other popular peaks include Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri I, and Ama Dablam, with global interest in Nepal’s high-altitude expeditions. In total, expedition teams were registered across 10 different mountains, with 87 male and 27 female climbers participating. The government collected approximately USD 412,200 (over NRS […]
Built by Mountaineers, for Mountaineers: Karakoram Mountain Guides Association Officially Established in Skardu
Pakistan’s mountaineering sector entered a new era on Saturday, 29 November, 2025, with the official launch of the Karakoram Mountain Guides Association (KMGA), the country’s first national organization created by mountaineers, for the mountaineers. The event took place at a private hotel in Skardu, bringing together hundreds of mountain professionals across the country. The full-day gathering included senior high-altitude climbers, professional guides, and young talents from Gilgit-Baltistan and other areas of a country. The environment was energetic and hopeful, with participants expressing strong support for the creation of a unified national platform dedicated to the welfare of Pakistan’s mountaineering community, […]
Silent Tent on Panbari Himal: Two Italian Climbers Found Lifeless After Days of Missing
A tragic turn of events has struck Nepal’s Manaslu region, where two Italian climbers, Farronato Stefano and Caputo Alessandro, were found dead inside their tent at Camp I of Panbari Himal (6,887 m). The duo had been missing since October 28 after being caught in heavy snowfall while attempting their climb. Earlier expedition leader Vatler Perlino (65), along with Nepali guides Pemba Renji Sherpa (35), Dawa Chhiri Sherpa (31), and Pasang Tamang, were successfully airlifted from the mountain by helicopter and flown to Kathmandu for medical treatment. The bodies of the missing climbers were located on Tuesday at 5,242 meters […]
Three Dead, Five Missing After Avalanche Hits Climbing Team in Nepal’s Rolwaling Region
A tragic avalanche in Nepal’s Rolwaling region has claimed the lives of three climbers, while at least five others remain missing in the remote Yalung Ri region of Dolakha district. The incident occurred this morning 03 November local time, while a group of climbers including some foreigners were acclimatising there to attempt to climb Dolma Khang (6332 m) was struck by an avalanche at around 09:00 AM, according to local authorities. Rescue operations are ongoing, though access to the high-altitude site remains challenging due to difficult terrain and unpredictable weather. Local authorities and security forces are coordinating efforts to locate […]
Seven Dead Including Five Foreign Nationals — and Four Missing After Avalanche Strikes Climbing Team in Nepal’s Rolwaling Region
A tragic avalanche in Nepal’s Rolwaling region has claimed the lives of eight climbers, including five foreign nationals, and two Nepalese while at least four others remain missing in the remote Yalung Ri region of Dolakha district. The incident occurred this morning 03 November local time, while a group of climbers including some foreigners were acclimatising there to attempt to climb Dolma Khang (6332 m) was struck by an avalanche at around 09:00 AM, according to local authorities. Rescue operations are halted today, as access to the high-altitude site remains challenging due to difficult terrain, unpredictable weather plus it’s already […]
Altitude Air Helicopter Accident in Lobuche, No Injuries Reported
An Altitude Air helicopter with call sign 9N-AMS, met with an accident near Lobuche, close to Everest Base Camp, this morning around 8 a.m. According to reports, the helicopter was on a rescue mission to pick up tourists stranded in the Khumbu region due to heavy snowfall. During landing, snow from the ground was blown up by the rotor wash, reducing visibility. As the pilot attempted to stabilize the aircraft, it destabilized and hit the ground. The helicopter’s pilot was the only person on board and escaped unharmed. He has since been transported to Lukla by another helicopter.
Technical Mastery on Numbur’s South Face: New Route Unlocked by Trio
Polish alpinist Adam Bielecki, German climber Felix Berg, and Italian mountaineer Hervé Barmasse have opened a new route on Numbur (6,958 m) in Nepal’s Rolwaling Himal. On October 18–19, the trio successfully climbed the South Face of the mountain, establishing a new line they named “Nepali Ice SPA” graded ED- (WI5, M4, 950m). The route follows sections of a previous Catalan attempt before venturing into new and steeper terrain leading directly to the summit. The climb demanded technical precision on steep ice and mixed wall. The team bivouacked in what they called the “Devil’s Suite” at around 6,900 metres, according […]
After 30 Years of Attempts, Jannu East Finally Climbed by French Duo
French alpinists Benjamin Védrines and Nicolas Jean have made the long-awaited first ascent of Jannu East (7,468 m) — one of the unclimbed peaks in the Himalayas. After a failed attempt the previous year, the duo returned stronger and succeeded on their second try, climbing the 2,300-metre North Face via the East Ridge in pure alpine style. They named their new route “Top of the Pikes” a proud and bold line on one of the world’s most forbidding mountains. “Summiting Jannu East is undoubtedly the greatest achievement of my mountaineering career,” said Védrines. “Climbing such a challenging, long and difficult […]
Spanish Legend Carlos Soria Scales Manaslu at 86, Marks 50 Years Since His First Expedition
Spanish mountaineer Carlos Soria has reached the summit of Manaslu (8,163 m), the world’s eighth-highest mountain, at 5:30 a.m. Nepal Time this morning, September 26, 2025, according to the expedition organiser Seven Summit Treks. Aged 86, Soria becomes the oldest climber to stand on an 8,000-metre peak, marking his return to the Himalaya after nearly two years. The ascent holds special significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Spanish expedition to Manaslu in 1975, in which he also participated. Soria has now climbed 12 of the 14 eight-thousanders, leaving only Dhaulagiri and Shishapangma. Already the oldest […]