Sherpa Guide Dies on Mount Everest After Falling into a Crevasse
On May 12, Nepali tourism officials confirmed that a Sherpa guide had died after falling into a crevasse on Mount Everest. This was the third death recorded within two weeks on the world’s highest peak.
The Victim Was the Nephew of a “Snow Leopard” Legend
Nisha Thapa Rawat, a representative of Nepal’s Department of Tourism, identified the victim as Phura Gyaljen Sherpa, 21, the nephew of mountaineering legend Ang Rita Sherpa. Ang Rita was known as the “Snow Leopard” for his record of 10 Everest summits without supplemental oxygen.
According to reports from the scene, the accident occurred at approximately 7:00 p.m. local time on May 11. Phura Gyaljen was transporting equipment for climbing clients from Camp 2 to higher camps. While crossing the Lhotse face at approximately 7,200 meters, he slipped on thin snow and fell into a deep crevasse.
A search operation was launched overnight but faced difficulties due to treacherous terrain. On the morning of May 12, the guide’s body was found inside the crevasse, approximately 400 meters from where he fell. The body was then brought to Camp 2 before being transported by helicopter to Kathmandu.
The Sherpa: Unsung Heroes of Everest
The Sherpa are an ethnic minority group living in the southern region of Nepal. They originated from Tibet hundreds of years ago and are primarily concentrated around the Everest region. They have a natural ability to work at high altitudes in low-oxygen environments – conditions that require outsiders days or weeks to acclimatize.
The Sherpa are renowned for their roles as guides, porters, and workers in the high Himalayan region. They play a crucial role in every Everest expedition, yet they also face the highest risks.
The 2026 Climbing Season: Multiple Fatalities
Phura Gyaljen’s death brought the total number of fatalities in this year’s Himalayan climbing season to five. Before him:
Bijay Ghimire Bishwakarma, 35, died while acclimatizing in the Khumbu Icefall.
Lakpa Dendi Sherpa, 51, also died on his way back to a resting camp.
Other peaks in the Himalayas have also recorded deaths:
Johannesen Shelley, 53, an American, died on Mount Makalu (8,463 meters).
David Ronbinek, a Czech climber, died on Makalu II (7,678 meters).
Authorities have not yet released details on the causes of death of the two foreign climbers.
Everest’s Enduring Appeal
Despite the risks and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East affecting global tourism and aviation, Everest’s appeal remains strong.
“The number of climbers coming to Everest is increasing,” said Himal Gautam, an official from Nepal’s Department of Tourism.
In this year’s climbing season (April to May), Nepal issued a record 492 permits at $15,000 each, surpassing the previous record of 478 in 2023. For this South Asian country, heavily dependent on tourism, climbing activities are a vital source of income and employment for local communities.
Nepal is home to over 400 Himalayan peaks, but only about 20 are regularly pursued by climbers from around the world. The growing number of climbers has also raised concerns about overcrowding and safety on routes to the “roof of the world.”
Conclusion: The Price of Dreams
The death of Phura Gyaljen Sherpa is a painful reminder of the harshness of Everest and the price of chasing dreams. The Sherpa – the unsung heroes of the Himalayas – continue to face the greatest risks to support climbers from around the world.
Although technology and equipment have improved, Everest remains one of the most dangerous places on Earth. And every climbing season, the mountain reminds us of human fragility in the face of nature’s power.
Primary Sources:
Nepal Department of Tourism – Announcement on Everest deaths
Associated Press (AP) – Coverage of Phura Gyaljen Sherpa’s accident
The Himalayan Times – Updates on the 2026 climbing season
BBC News – Analysis of the economic impact of climbing tourism in Nepal