Two Climbers Have Died At Mt. Everest So Far In May

Mount Everest, the most famous summit in the world, welcomes hundreds of people every year. Some don't make it out alive.

The iconic mountain, which has seen more than 300 climbing deaths, has already had two tragic deaths so far this year. Most climbing teams typically attempt to summit in early May, due to weather conditions. Two climbers have tragically seen their lives lost in attempts to summit this month.

On May 3, a Nepali guide named Lakpa Dendi Sherpa, 52, passed away. He was killed while climbing from the village of Gorak Shep to Mount Everest Base Camp. Tragically, his death is not the only one this month.

Earlier this month, a Nepali high-altitude worker named Bijaya Ghimire died. The 35-year-old was working for the Nepali outfitter TAG Nepal. His death is likely related to altitude sickness.

Ghimire was believed to be the first person from Nepal's marginalized Dalit ethnic group to summit Mount Everest. He did it in 2016.

"Nepal is still a caste-dominated society. By being the first Dalit to summit Mount Everest, I showed society that we are humans, too," he said in 2019.

"As I worked on the mountain, I saw many different types of people climbing Everest," Ghimire said. "I thought about how for over sixty five years, people were continually reaching the summit. They were setting records. But not a single person from the Dalit community had reached the top. So I made up my mind to be the first."

Two deaths at Mt. Everest spark concern

With two deaths taking place at Mt. Everest this year, concern is growing. Close to 500 climbing permits have been issued for Mt. Everest this year. Most, if not all, of those people will attempt to summit in early to mid May.

Our thoughts continue to be with everyone on the mountain.

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 7:34 AM.