Everest claims second life as Nepali climber dies in Icefall amid record-breaking spring
Summary
Bijay Ghimire Bishwakarma, a Nepalese climber and the first Dalit to summit Everest four times, died of cardiac arrest in the Khumbu Icefall during the record-breaking 2026 spring Everest climbing season. The season has seen multiple accidents, including injuries from icefall collapse and the busiest climbing permit issuance in Everest history.
Key Points
- Bijay Ghimire Bishwakarma, a veteran Nepali climber and first Dalit to summit Everest four times, died in the Khumbu Icefall from cardiac arrest.
- The 2026 Everest climbing season is the busiest on record with 492 climbing permits issued, surpassing 2023's record.
- An unstable hanging serac delayed the opening of the Khumbu Icefall route, compressing the summit window and complicating acclimatisation rotations.
- Other incidents include injuries from the Khumbu Icefall collapse and the previous death of Lakpa Dendi Sherpa from a fall during a trek to Everest Base Camp.
