Mongolian Climber's Body Recovered from Mt. Everest at 8,600 Meters

On May 17, 2024, a team of high-altitude Sherpa guides recovered the body of Mongolian climber Usukhjargal Tsedendamba from Mt. Everest at an altitude of 8,600 meters. This marks the first casualty of the 2024 spring climbing season.

Tsedendamba, 31, and his climbing partner, Purevsuren Lkhagvajav, 53, attempted to reach the summit without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support on May 12th, despite very high winds. The Sherpas who found Tsedendamba's body reported that he appeared to have "fallen down from the rope and stuck a few meters below the South Summit."

The search and rescue team also spotted another body at 8,400 meters, believed to be Lkhagvajav. A photo of the second body has been taken, and verification is expected by Saturday. The families of the deceased are discussing whether to retrieve the bodies from the death zone, which would require a significant amount of money and a team of at least 10 Sherpas.

"It requires a huge amount of money—at least $70,000 to bring the bodies back," said Pemba Sherpa of the 8K Expedition company. "We have to mobilize at least 10 Sherpas to bring the bodies from one of the dangerous points of the earth. From the lower reaches, the bodies should be airlifted by helicopter."

The Mongolian National News Agency reported on April 4 that the three Mongolian mountaineers, including the deceased, would depart on April 5, 2024, to climb Everest, the world's highest peak. The climb was part of a broader expedition that saw hundreds of climbers flock to Nepal for summits in the spring season. Over 900 permits have been issued for Nepal's mountains this year, including 419 for Everest, earning more than $5 million in royalties.

Mt. Everest, the world's tallest summit at 8,849 meters, has seen over 6,500 people reach its peak since it was first scaled in 1953. However, the mountain has also claimed the lives of about 335 people, making it a hazardous endeavor. In 2023 alone, a dozen hikers died attempting to conquer the mountain.

The Nepal Army, on a cleaning mission, recovered a body on Lhotse and another on Everest, which will be delivered to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital's forensic lab in Kathmandu. The twelve-member cleaning team aims to retrieve five bodies and ten tons of trash from Everest.

High winds are expected to ease this weekend, with "light winds" in the forecast for the next ten days. Most teams are targeting May 19-21 for their summit attempts, with many positioned at Camp 2 and soon at Camp 3 and the South Col.

Key Takeaways

• Mongolian climber Usukhjargal Tsedendamba's body recovered from Mt. Everest at 8,600m.
• Tsedendamba, 31, died attempting to reach summit without oxygen or Sherpa support.
• Search team found another body, believed to be Tsedendamba's partner, at 8,400m.
• Retrieving bodies from death zone would cost at least $70,000 and require 10 Sherpas.
• This marks the first casualty of the 2024 spring climbing season on Mt. Everest.