Tragedy strikes at base camp
An avalanche struck the base camp of Mount Yalung Ri (5,600 m), located in Nepal’s Dolakha district, on Monday morning, killing seven people including five foreign climbers and two Nepali guides.
The incident occurred at approximately 4,900 m altitude. Bad weather delayed rescue efforts, with helicopters unable to reach the site initially.
Who were the victims?
Local officials reported that the deceased comprised foreign nationals (reports indicate Americans, Canadians and Italians among them) and two Nepali guides. Additionally, four climbers from the expedition are still missing, and at least four others were injured and evacuated to Kathmandu for treatment.
Conditions and what happened
The group of around 15 people had been acclimatising on Yalung Ri ahead of attempting a higher peak when the avalanche struck at about 8:30 a.m. local time. Weather conditions had been deteriorating, with fresh snowfall and unstable snowpack contributing to hazardous conditions.
Rescue challenges and response
Rescue teams were hampered by heavy snow, poor visibility and terrain: the helicopter was unable to reach the summit zone initially, forcing ground teams to proceed on foot. By Tuesday afternoon, at least three bodies had been retrieved; the search for further casualties continues.
What this signals for mountain safety
Although Yalung Ri is considered a more accessible peak for less-experienced climbers, the tragedy underscores how quickly conditions can turn perilous at high altitude. The avalanche highlights risks of unstable snowpack, sudden weather change and the importance of timely evacuation and monitoring.
Mountaineering experts say that in high-altitude expeditions, timing, weather forecasting and local guide coordination remain critical for safety.
The takeaway
The deaths of seven climbers on Mount Yalung Ri are a sobering reminder that even lower-elevation Himalayan peaks carry serious risk. As rescue teams continue work, the focus will also shift to whether better warning systems, guide training and risk assessment might prevent future tragedies.
