Mount Everest climbers find new body, raising death toll on highest mountain; Missing guide safe

Shriya Shah-Klorfine trains at Everest Base Camp. / Shriya Shah-Klorfine/Facebook

(AP) KATMANDU, Nepal - Climbers have reported seeing another body on Mount Everest, raising the death toll to four for one of the worst days ever on the world's highest mountain.

Nepali mountaineering official Gyanendra Shrestha said Tuesday that the body of Chinese climber Ha Wenyi was spotted not far from where three other climbers died. They were part of what was a "traffic jam" by Everest standards — an estimated 150 climbers who rushed to use a brief window of good weather to try to reach the top Friday and Saturday.

Wenyi and the other victims — German doctor Eberhard Schaaf, Nepal-born Canadian Shriya Shah and South Korean mountaineer Song Won-bin — died Saturday on their way down from the 29,035-foot summit. They are believed to have suffered exhaustion and altitude sickness, Shrestha said.

3 Mt. Everest climbers die on summit descent

Shrestha says a Nepalese Sherpa guide who had been reported missing is safe and has reached the base camp. Shrestha says the guide was separated from his group and did not have communications equipment.

The latest deaths have raised concerns about overcrowding in the "death zone" at the top of the world's tallest peak. Many of those who headed to the summit over the weekend had waited at a staging camp for several days for the weather to improve enough to attempt the climb.

"There was a traffic jam on the mountain on Saturday. Climbers were still heading to the summit as late as 2:30 p.m., which is quite dangerous," Shrestha said.

Climbers normally are advised not to try for the summit after 11 a.m. The area above the last camp at the South Col is nicknamed the "death zone" because of the steep icy slope, treacherous conditions and low oxygen level.

"With the traffic jam, climbers had a longer wait for their chance to go up the trail and spent too much time at higher altitude. Many of them are believed to be carrying a limited amount of oxygen, not anticipating the extra time spent," Shrestha said.

The climbing season runs from late March to the first week in June, and the Nepalese government places no limits on how many climbers can be on the mountain. The season's first clear conditions were on Friday and Saturday, but that window already was closing by Saturday afternoon with a windstorm at higher altitudes, Shrestha said.

Ang Tshering, an Everest expert and former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, said the government should impose schedules so that scores of climbers are not trying to head for the summit on the same day.

Tshering said the race to the summit on Saturday meant that climbers likely expended all their energy on the way up and had little left for the descent.

The deadliest day on Everest was May 10, 1996, when eight people were killed. The main reason was said to be that climbers who started their ascent late in the day were caught in a snowstorm in the afternoon.

Some climbers and environmentalists have expressed concern that climbing conditions on Everest are worsening each year, possibly due to climate change.

An unusually light snowfall this year has added to the danger, renowned Everest climber Conrad Anker said.

"Because there is little fresh snow, icy surfaces on the slopes make climbing more difficult and dangerous," Anker said, adding that "the snow acts as glue, stopping rocks from falling on the climbers."

Well-known expedition organizer Russell Brice cited the mountain's precarious condition in his decision in early May to cancel this year's climb for more than 60 clients.

[CoronaAdvances]

Sorry to hear that

[foo8259]

Well, if you have to practice using the Jumar Acender on a fixed rope at Base Camp Everest (7,200') you are already in trouble!

[Scimajor]

It's a foolish waste of life in my opinion but hardly the only case. Race car drivers die all the time too and very few people have a problem with it. Personally I find watching cars going around an oval to be about as exciting as watching my toenails grow.

[superdem1]

How narcissistic do you have to be to make climbing a mountain a life goal ? How meaningless is that ? Every other life form on the planet knows not to go up there, but human beings do it on purpose, and cause traffic jams to boot. Why ? Human stupidity and self-absorption apparently know no bounds. Are there traffic jams of people trying to help the poor, or the sick, or the aged ? No, programs are being cut right and left because people are so selfish they won't vote for taxes to keep their fellow man alive. Humans are supposed to be the most intelligent life form, but that simply cannot be true, these deaths on the mountain are testament to that.

[zarnon61]

agree 100%

[audemus]

Hillary and Norgay are the first recognized climbers of Mt. Everest, this was in 1953. I fail to understand the allure of trying to duplicate what's already been accomplished, especially if it might cost me my life....but then again, I'm not a mountain-climber.

[Johnson-4]

The solution should be up to those who know most about the situation--the climbers. The rest of us don't need to get involved.

[foo8259]

150 climbers in one day? They would need a solar powered people mover on the Hillery Step.

[nurserobn13]

These people knew the risks, yet they persisted. It's tragic, but I have no pity for them. They died doing what they loved.

[pruett1694]

I fail to understand why a handfull of individuals and government officials must dictate the activities of individuals who pose no harm or threat to the rest of society. As a member of the human race, I aspire to attain higher goals. If people seek a euphoric "high" without harming others or trespassing on anothers' rights, then who should have the authority to intervene.

It is regretful these pilgrims died. They are amoung a small handfull who have been to the "top" of the world.

[sw59404]

While your altruistic views are noted. The issue isn't the taking away freedoms or rights of climbers, it is the simple fact that to many people in one spot causes "traffic jams", leading to people getting placed in dangerous situations. There are too many people heading to the top of the world. If you can't see that, then I don't know what to tell you. An annual limit would be prudent and people would be placed on a waiting list.

[signseeker1717]

The article states the Nepalese government currently has NO restrictions on how many people may climb or when.

The article also states some OPINIONS that groups should be scheduled, to protect the safety of ALL Everest climbers.

This isn't ABOUT "the rest of society"; it's about the "society" of Everest climbers.

[Montana5]

Better these crazies make their horrible judgments on Everest than on the highways of the world where their missteps cost other people their lives.