US man becomes 11th climber to die on Everest this season

American Christopher John Kulish, 61, had already climbed the 8,848-metre peak and was back at a camp below the summit on Monday evening

Climbers descend from the summit of Everest down the Hillary Step. At least 11 climbers have died so far this season. Reuters

Nepal issued a record 381 Everest permits this season and a short weather window resulted in some teams waiting several hours in the dangerous "dead zone", running out of oxygen supplies and risking exhaustion. AP Photo

As well as the Everest deaths, nine climbers have died on other 8,000-metre Himalayan peaks, while one person is missing. AFP

A long queue of mountain climbers line a path on Mount Everest. AP Photo

Although final numbers are yet to be released - together with the accompanying sherpa guides - 2019 could take the total past last year's record of 807 people reaching the summit. AFP

In addition to the Nepal permits that cost $11,000 each, at least 140 others were granted permission to climb from the northern flank of Everest in Tibet. AFP

A total 10,000 Kilograms of trash and four bodies found on Everest during a massive cleaning campaign. EPA

Climbers make their way to the summit of Everest. Reuters

Climbers make their way to the summit of Everest. 11 people have died this season Reuters

Shadow of Everest is cast on the mountains during sunrise. AFP

A Nepalese sherpa at one of the camps. AFP

A US climber has died after descending Everest, officials said on Tuesday, taking this season’s toll death to 11 including several fatalities blamed on overcrowding on the world’s highest mountain.

American Christopher John Kulish, 61, had already scaled the 8,848-metre peak and was safely back at a camp below the summit on Monday evening.

“All of a sudden he had a heart problem and passed away at South Col, according to his expedition organisers,” said Mira Acharya from Nepal’s tourism department.

An Australian man, meanwhile, was recovering in hospital in Kathmandu, officials said, after reportedly being found lying unconscious above 7,000 metres.

The reports said that Gilian Lee from Canberra was attempting to climb the northern flank of Everest from Tibet without supplementary oxygen.

Nepal issued a record 381 Everest permits this season and a short weather window resulted in some teams waiting several hours in the perilous “dead zone”, running out of oxygen supplies and risking exhaustion.

At least four of the fatalities this season – the deadliest since 2015 when massive earthquakes triggered avalanches that swept away climbers’ camps – have been blamed on the delays.

As well as the Everest deaths, nine climbers have died on other 8,000-metre Himalayan peaks and one person is missing.

In addition to the Nepal permits, which cost $11,000 (Dh40,398) each, at least 140 others were granted permission to climb from the northern face of Everest in Tibet.

The season ends this week. Although the final numbers have yet to be released, it is thought last year’s record of 807 people reaching the summit could be surpassed if the climbers’ Sherpa guides are included in the tally.