According to the organizer of his expedition, Jonathan Sugarman, 69, passed away on Monday while participating in an acclimatization rotation at about 6,400 meters (21,000 feet).
He had a bad sensation, and he died at Camp 2. His body is being sought for, according to Pasang Tshering Sherpa of Beyul Adventure, who spoke to AFP.
It’s snowing and the weather is not good, so we’re attempting to send a helicopter, he said.
International Mountain Guides, a US-based organization that organizes expeditions, confirmed Sugarman’s passing “with deep sorrow” through its local partner Beyul Adventure.
“We can confirm that this event was not the result of a climbing accident or route condition that would be of potential impact or safety concern to any other teams on the mountain,” IMG CEO Eric Simonson said in a statement posted on the business’ website.
In the previous year, Sugarman made it to Camp 3 on Everest before giving up a climb.Three Nepali climbers died last month, marking a terrible beginning to this year’s spring climbing season on Everest.
As part of a supply expedition, the group was attempting to cross the perilous Khumbu icefall when a block of glacier ice fell and washed them into a narrow chasm.
Nepali guides — usually ethnic Sherpas from nearby valleys — are essential to the multimillion-dollar industry, bearing huge risks to prepare climbing routes and carry food and equipment.
