American Climber Dies in Avalanche on Nepal's Mount Makalu After Reaching Summit

An American climber died after being struck by an avalanche while descending Mount Makalu in Nepal on May 11, local authorities and expedition officials confirmed. Shelley Johannesen, 53, had successfully reached the summit of the world's fifth-highest mountain before the fatal incident during her descent.

The Details

Johannesen, co-founder of Utah-based outdoor outfitter Dash Adventures, was part of a four-person team that included her partner David Ashley and two Nepali guides. The avalanche struck between Camp II and Camp III at approximately 7,200 meters (23,600 feet) as the group made their way down from the 8,485-meter (27,838-foot) peak, police in Sankhuwasabha district said.

Nabin Trital, managing director of Expedition Himalaya, told AFP and CBS News, "She was hit by an avalanche just below Camp 3." Police told The Kathmandu Post that Johannesen sustained critical injuries in the slide and died around 8 a.m. while receiving treatment at the site. AFP and CBS News, along with the South China Morning Post, described the incident as fatal while descending.

Johannesen had summited Makalu before the avalanche hit below Camp 3 during the descent, according to expedition reports and police accounts.

David Ashley, her climbing partner, confirmed the death in a statement cited by WTVR CBS 6: "I am heartbroken to share that my beloved Shelley Johannesen passed away in the early morning hours on Nepal's Mount Makalu on Monday 11 May." In a separate social media tribute reported by CBS News, Ashley said, "Shelley was not just an incredible person, but lived her life with no limits and chased her passions around the world."

Accounts of the rescue operation for the remaining team members were not fully aligned across reports. The Park Record, citing Gripped, reported that Ashley and one sherpa were evacuated by helicopter to Kathmandu for treatment, while another sherpa was rescued by nearby climbers. AFP, CBS News, and the South China Morning Post confirmed the four-person team composition but did not detail the full rescue sequence or helicopter evacuation.

Context

Mount Makalu stands at 8,485 meters (27,838 feet) and is the world's fifth-highest mountain. It is regarded as technically challenging because of its steep terrain, severe weather, and remote location in the Himalayas. The mountain's difficulty and exposure make it one of the more demanding peaks in the region for expedition climbers. Nepal has issued more than 1,000 climbing permits for 30 mountains during the current spring season, including 72 for Makalu and a record 492 for Mount Everest.

Johannesen's death was at least the fourth fatality reported in the Himalayas during Nepal's spring climbing season. Earlier in the season, a Czech climber and three Nepali guides were also reported dead, according to the South China Morning Post and AFP.

What's Next

Nepal's spring climbing season remains active with more than 1,000 climbing permits issued across 30 mountains, including a record 492 for Everest and 72 for Makalu. The season has already seen at least four fatalities in the Himalayas, including a Czech climber and three Nepali guides reported dead earlier in the season.