New Zealand mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist
A large ice serac has blocked the route to Everest's summit, delaying climbers' attempts. Icefall doctors have deemed it too risky to pass, and authorities are waiting for it to melt or collapse. The blockage has shortened the window for the spring climbing season, impacting hundreds of climbers and guides.
This month Nepal has seen a record single-day peak of climbers summiting Mount Everest from the south side while China has kept the northern route closed. An 18-year-old Australian has become the youngest Australian to reach the summit; veteran Sherpas have set new personal records. Several climbers have died this season and a dangerous serac and icefall conditions have delayed the route.
A Nepali guide, Dawa Sherpa, has been found alive six days after he went missing descending Mount Everest on 29 May. He has been airlifted to a Kathmandu hospital with frostbite after a cleanup crew found him crawling near the Khumbu Icefall. His family had already begun funeral rites and have accused his employer of delayed search efforts.
A Nepali Sherpa guide on Everest has survived a days-long ordeal, crawling back to base camp after vanishing May 29. He is recovering in Kathmandu with frostbite and dehydration. Families are filing complaints against the employer for delays in the rescue.