He had already managed 6,400 meters when death came in Camp 2: A 69-year-old climber is the fourth death this season.
Another death on Mount Everest: A climber from the USA died on the highest mountain in the world. The 69-year-old Jonathan Sugarman was at around 6,400 meters in Camp 2 when he died, as the tour organizer announced on Tuesday. The summit of Mount Everest is at 8,848 meters.
“We can confirm that the incident was not triggered by a climbing accident or conditions on the route that could endanger the safety of other teams on the mountain,” said Eric Simonson on his company’s website, International Mountain Guides.
According to Sherpa Pasang Tshering, the expedition is trying to return the body of the mountaineer who died on Monday. “We’re trying to send a helicopter, but it’s snowing and the weather isn’t good.”
Already three Sherpas dead
Sugarman’s death is the fourth on Everest in this spring season, which began with the accidental deaths of three Nepalese mountain guides, known as Sherpas, while on a supply mission on the Khumbu Icefall in March. They had been swept away and buried by an avalanche.
Home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, Nepal welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring when temperatures are warm and winds are usually calm. The country has issued 466 climbing permits for the world’s highest peak this year. But since most climbers can only be accompanied by Sherpas, around 900 people are expected on the mountain by June.
