A 57-year old German climber, identified as Wolfgang Waschiczek, died after a fall while descending Ama Dablam in Nepal's Khumbu region. Search teams found his body on Monday 26 October, a day after he reached the summit.
As of now, the cause of the fall has not established. The death comes days after two Japanese climbers were found dead on another mountain, during a busy autumn season on Ama Dablam.
What happened
Waschiczek and his guide, Sonam Lama, reached the summit on Sunday 25 October, as per the expedition organizers. They returned that evening to Camp III, at about 6,200 metres. On Monday morning, the two were preparing to go down to a lower camp.
The guide briefly left to return borrowed sleeping equipment. When he returned back a few minutes later, Waschiczek was missing, according to Bodhraj Bhandari of Snowy Horizon Treks and Gokul Thapa of Real Himalaya, who organised the expedition.
A helicopter-assisted search followed. The body was found at about 4,500 metres and arrangements were made to take it for a post-mortem examination. The head of Real Himalaya described the weather as good.
The mountain
Ama Dablam, in Solukhumbu district, is a peak of about 6,800 metres near the Everest region. It is lower than Everest but technically demanding, with steep ridges, exposed terrain and sections that need roped climbing. Altitude alone does not decide how dangerous a mountain is: steep rock and ice, changing weather, falling ice or rock and the effort of moving safely on ropes all matter.
Reaching a summit does not end the risk. Climbers must still descend difficult terrain after a long ascent. Fatigue, cold, poor visibility and changing conditions can all complicate a descent.
In November 2006, an avalanche on the southwest ridge killed six climbers at Camp III: two foreign mountaineers and four Nepali high-altitude workers, according to climbing records. That history shows the mountain has seen fatal accidents from serious natural hazards.
A busy autumn season
Permit numbers for Ama Dablam changed through October. On 8 October, 19 climbers in two teams held permits. By 16 October, the Department of Tourism put the number at 178 climbers across 16 expeditions. On 26 October, more than 200 climbers and more than 300 permit holders were reported.
Two Japanese climbers, Hidesuke Taneishi, 40, and Tetsu Hashimoto, 25, were found dead on Gangapurna in Manang district. Search teams located their bodies on 23 October, and the deaths were announced on 24 October. They had last been in contact on the night of 15 October, when they were reportedly at about 7,050 metres. District officials said the bodies lay on the southern side at about 6,300 metres.
What this means for Nepali abroad
Nepali guides, climbing Sherpas and high-altitude workers take part in most Himalayan expeditions, so news from the Khumbu often reaches families abroad.
The 2006 avalanche killed four Nepali workers.
Nepali abroad with relatives working on expeditions can ask the trekking company for the person’s registration, insurance cover and a named contact for emergencies. Nepali and others living abroad who plan a climb or trek in Nepal should choose a registered agency and confirm that insurance covers helicopter rescue and evacuation.
Families should rely on the Department of Tourism, the district police or the agency for confirmed news, and avoid sharing unconfirmed social posts about missing or dead climbers.
