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Mount Everest has already claimed 13 lives by 2023. Four other people are still missing. That is twice as much as usual at the same time of the year.
Falling glacier pillars, extreme cold or health problems were the main reasons for the tragedies on the highest mountain in the world. Moreover, a record number of visitors seems to contribute to this.
“Mountaineers Stand Still at a High Altitude”
Allan Cohrs, a professional Australian mountain guide, told ABC News he is concerned about Mount Everest’s future as a tourist destination. Many teams would leave at the same time if the conditions were right. They put each other in predicaments: “There is a huge bottleneck in mountaineers standing still at high altitudes, which increases the likelihood of frostbite, fatigue and unnecessary exposure to nature.”
So far, not all victims have been recovered: rescuers have not yet managed to return a three-member Nepalese Sherpa crew buried under an ice pillar to the high camps in mid-April.
Even professionals among the victims
Experienced foreign climbers are among the dead. Canadian Petrus Swart († 63) died on Thursday after falling ill above Camp IV. This is reported by The Himalayan Times.
Swart suffered from acute altitude sickness. This is extremely treacherous. Ascending too fast can cause fluid to build up in the brain. The ensuing brain swelling can quickly lead to death.
Hungarian solo climber Suhajda Szilard († 40) also died trying to reach the top without supplemental oxygen and the support of Sherpas.
Exceptional number of emergency evacuations
According to “ExplorersWeb,” anonymous sources from Mount Everest base camp are reporting an extraordinary number of emergency evacuations and rescues. Fortunately, there is always a happy ending: An Instagram video shows how experienced mountain guide Gelje Sherpa wrapped an abandoned mountaineer in a tarpaulin and tied it on his back for the rescue descent.
The annual spring season on Mount Everest begins in April and ends in June, when the most favorable weather windows of the year are available for ascent. (A)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
