A French and a South Korean mountaineer have died during separate expeditions to Mount Ama Dablam, one of Nepal’s most striking yet challenging peaks, according to tourism officials on Monday.
French climber Hugo Lucio Colonia Lazaro, aged 65, fell ill while descending the 6,812-metre (22,349-foot) peak last week. He was airlifted to Kathmandu by helicopter on Wednesday but died the following day, said Tourism Department Director Himal Gautam.
South Korean climber Hong Khy Park, 66, died between Camp 1 and Camp 2 while ascending the mountain on Saturday. Officials did not disclose the cause of his death. Gautam said authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies to repatriate both climbers’ bodies.
Ama Dablam, located in Nepal’s Khumbu region, is known for its steep slopes and technical difficulty. Around 400 climbers have attempted the mountain this autumn climbing season, which runs from late August to November.
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks including Mount Everest, attracts hundreds of international climbers every year. Autumn expeditions across the Himalayas are generally less crowded due to shorter, colder days and heavy snow, offering a smaller window for summiting.
While Mount Everest remains the ultimate goal for many, more climbers are now drawn to Nepal’s lesser-known “hidden” mountains that promise solitude and new challenges. Mountaineering has become a key part of Nepal’s tourism economy, generating revenue and jobs for local communities.
“There are limited mountains if you only focus on height,” said veteran French alpinist and expedition leader Paulo Grobel. “But when you explore peaks around 7,900 or 6,900 metres, there are many untouched summits waiting.”
This autumn, Nepal has issued 1,323 climbing permits. While most mountaineers join large commercial expeditions on well-known peaks, smaller teams continue to explore remote and lesser-known regions across the Himalayas.
