Himalayan Death Toll hits 5
The 2026 Himalayan spring climbing season has been marked by tragedy, with five climbers losing their lives across Everest and the Makalu massif as teams continue their summit bids during one of the busiest seasons on record.
Mount Everest has seen three fatalities so far. The latest came on Monday night when 21-year-old Phura Gyaljen Sherpa, from Thame in the Khumbu region, fell into a crevasse near Camp III while moving toward the South Col with a large expedition team. He died at the scene. The climber was part of a Kaitu Expeditions team and plans were underway to recover his body from the mountain.
Earlier in the season, experienced climber and YouTuber Bijay Ghimire Bishwakarma died in the Khumbu Icefall on May 10 after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest while climbing above Base Camp. He was notable as the first person from Nepal’s Dalit community to summit Everest. Another fatality involved 52-year-old Lakpa Dendi Sherpa, who died on May 4 after falling while trekking between Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp during the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Everest Expedition.
On nearby Makalu, American climber Shelley Johannesen, 53, from Oregon, died in an avalanche while descending from the summit at around 7,200 metres. Johannesen had successfully reached the summit alongside fellow American David Ashley and their Sherpa guides before the incident occurred. Her body was recovered by a Sherpa rescue team and flown to Kathmandu. Two other climbers injured during the descent were also evacuated and are reported to be in stable condition.
The fifth death of the season came on Makalu II, also known as Kangchung Tse, where Czech climber David Roubinek died at approximately 7,300 metres while attempting an alpine-style ascent without guide support. He reportedly developed high altitude pulmonary edema during the climb. A recovery team later brought his body down to high camp, where it remains awaiting airlift when weather conditions improve.
The fatalities come during a record-breaking season in Nepal. Authorities have issued 492 climbing permits for Everest this spring — the highest number ever recorded for the mountain, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. Makalu has also seen strong activity, with 72 permits issued across 11 expedition teams, while a further seven climbers received permits for Makalu II.
