Philipp Santiago from the Philippines died in Camp 4 on Wednesday night while preparing to climb to the summit. He became the first person to die on Everest this year.
Snowy Horizon Treks, the company organising the expedition, said the cause of death was unknown. It appears that Santiago reached Camp 4 very late, after dark. Santiago had already suffered frostbite during acclimatisation.
The company also reported the deaths of two Sherpa employees who were airlifted to hospital after falling ill with acute mountain sickness at Everest base camp.
A weather window is expected to open on May 18-19, and almost all teams will choose these days for their ascent. But if everyone goes at the same time, the trail will be crowded.
For this reason, some teams have decided to battle the wind and climb before the warming weather sets in. The Seven Summits team climbed Everest and Lhotse today. Some of those who climbed Everest will climb Lhotse tomorrow and then return to base camp, completing a double ascent.
Pioneer Adventures also reported five ascents — two foreigners and three Sherpa guides — at 5:00 a.m.
