How a massive earthquake transformed Mount Everest into a site of unprecedented mountaineering disaster
In short: When a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in April 2015, the resulting tremors triggered lethal avalanches on Mount Everest. The disaster at Base Camp claimed at least 24 lives, marking the deadliest event in the mountain's history and forcing a complete halt to the spring climbing season for the first time.
On 25 April 2015, a powerful earthquake hit Nepal, with its epicenter located roughly 220 kilometres from Mount Everest. At the time, an estimated crowd of 700 to 1,000 individuals occupied the mountain or its immediate surroundings, including 359 climbers stationed at Base Camp. The seismic activity dislodged a massive avalanche from the nearby peak of Pumori, which surged into Base Camp, scattering tents across the Khumbu Glacier and toward the lower Icefall. This event surpassed the 2014 avalanche toll, establishing itself as the most fatal disaster ever recorded on the mountain.
The aftermath left at least 61 people injured and many more stranded at higher elevations as descent paths were destroyed. Rescue efforts began on 26 April, with helicopters airlifting survivors to the village of Pheriche. Despite the destruction, some expedition leaders attempted to restore access through the Khumbu Icefall to evacuate those trapped at Camps I and II. However, these efforts were thwarted by subsequent avalanches that obliterated essential ladders and claimed the lives of three Sherpas. By 27 April, rescue operations had successfully retrieved 60 individuals from Camp I and 170 from Camp II.
The human cost was significant, with reports identifying Nepalese Sherpas, Americans, a Chinese national, an Australian, and a Japanese climber among the deceased. Among the victims was Google executive Dan Fredinburg, who had been documenting the region. Although the Nepalese government initially permitted climbing to resume just four days after the quake, the persistent danger and damage to the Khumbu Icefall eventually led to the closure of the route for the remainder of the season. Following a second earthquake on 12 May, the mountain was entirely vacated, marking the first time in 41 years that no successful spring ascent occurred.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2015 Mount Everest avalanches
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