Two Climbers Die on Mount Everest During Spring Expedition Season

Tone & Political Bias: Center

Why: The report offers straightforward factual coverage without leaning into political, environmental, or nationalist narratives.

What happened

Two climbers — one from India and one from the Philippines — have died on Mount Everest while attempting to reach the summit, according to expedition organizers in Nepal.

• The Indian climber, Subrata Ghosh, died on Thursday while descending after reaching near the summit.

• The Filipino climber, Philipp Santiago, 45, died on Wednesday during his ascent. He had reached Camp 4 — the final base before the summit push.

  
  

Both climbers were part of an expedition organized by Snowy Horizon Trek and Expedition, a Nepal-based mountaineering agency. Their bodies remain on the mountain as of Friday.

Where the climbers died

• Subrata Ghosh died just below the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit on his descent.

• Philipp Santiago died at Camp 4, the highest camp on the mountain, while preparing for his final ascent.

  
  

Camp 4 is located on the South Col, known for its extreme altitude and dangerous weather patterns.

What’s next

It remains undecided if or when the climbers’ bodies will be retrieved. According to the expedition organizers:

• Bringing down bodies from Everest is extremely dangerous and logistically difficult.

• Recovery efforts require a large team and significant resources, particularly above 8,000 meters — commonly referred to as the “death zone.”

The terrain, weather conditions, and high altitude make such operations rare and risky.

Everest’s current climbing season

• Spring climbing season runs from March to May, with May offering the best weather windows.

• Hundreds of climbers are currently on Everest attempting to reach the summit during short periods of improved weather.

• Each season, climbers wait for favorable wind and visibility conditions — usually lasting only a few days.

  
  

This year’s season has seen the usual crowding on popular routes, increasing pressure on rescue and coordination efforts.

Everest’s deadly history

• Since it was first summited by Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal in 1953, more than 300 people have died attempting the climb.

• Causes of death range from altitude sickness and falls to avalanches and exhaustion.

• Many bodies remain on the mountain due to the cost and risk of recovery.

  
  

The fatalities of Ghosh and Santiago add to Everest’s long history of perilous ascents, particularly in the short spring windows when summit traffic is at its peak.

The context around Everest deaths

While Everest expeditions have become more commercialized, climbers still face extreme risks:

• Climbers are often caught in high-altitude traffic jams, delaying progress and increasing exposure to harsh elements.

• Support agencies like Snowy Horizon Trek manage logistics, but climbers bear the physical strain of the ascent.

• In recent years, the Nepalese government has issued hundreds of permits per season, raising concerns about overcrowding and safety.

  
  

Despite growing awareness and improvements in gear, fatalities remain an expected reality of climbing the world’s highest peak.