Everest 2025: Two More Deaths, along with Windy Summits

On May 19, 2025, summits continued across the Himalayas, with success on Everest and Kangchenjunga. The total number of Everest summit attempts is well over 350. Two more deaths, both on Lhotse, bring the Himalaya season total to fourteen, with two of those unconfirmed.

I’ll update this post or post a new one if more details come forth.

Good Day on the 19th

Summit Climb changed their summit schedule, foregoing a rest day at the South Col after receiving a warning of high winds on the 20th. They made a good call:

Last night at 9 PM, 3 of our courageous Members and 3 incredible Sherpas set off towards the top of the world — and this morning, they stood proudly on the summit of Mt. Everest! In a touching twist, 2 Members and 2 Sherpas reached the summit first and began their descent down the Hillary Step… but then, something magical happened. Right there, on one of the most iconic parts of Everest, they met the 3rd Member and Sherpa on their way up!  A surprise reunion at 28,800 feet! Soon after, our final duo reached the summit, making it a complete team success. Everyone is now descending safely to South Col and may continue to Camp 3 or 2, depending on how they feel.

Elite Expeditions saw client summits on May 18 and 19, totaling 39: 12 clients supported by 27 Sherpas. And Seven Summits Treks continued to work with their clients by helping another eight reach Everest summits and seven for Lhotse. If my math is correct, 52 of their 103 clients have summited Everest this season, with more to come. Furtenbach noted the South Side summit by the “Flash and Classic teams.”

14 Peaks also had success with eleven Everest summits. 8K continued their successful season with another fifteen summits on the three highest peaks in the world, as did Pioneer Adventures, which achieved six summits, including Dandu Sherpa and Om Bahadur Gurung, who assisted Chhonzin Angmo, who is blind, in summiting Everest. She is from Chango village of Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh).

On the Tibetan side, Climbalaya topped out, making them the successful team this season. “Connor Chilcott, Tshering Gyaljen Sherpa, and Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit this morning at 07:30 China time.”

More Deaths

On May 18, Romanian Zsolt Vago, 48, died near the Lhotse Couloir on his ascent of Lhotse. He was climbing with Himalayan Guides.

Indian Rakesh Kumar, 39, died while descending from the summit near Yellow Band and was climbing with Makalu Adventure. He attempted Everest two days earlier, returned to the South Col without summit, but refused to descend to EBC, instead staying to attempt Lhotse.

This article explains how the death of Indian Subrata Ghosh, 44, occurred after he had summited on May 16. His Sherpa seems to have done everything. However, this is a cautionary tale of how quickly altitude sickness can develop, and the only solution is to turn back immediately. My condolences to all who lost someone in the mountains this season.

Winds to return

I expect most teams to stand down on the 20th due to the high wind forecast, but we’ll see. These are the remaining teams to watch (I may have missed a few).