A Filipino mountaineer, 45-year-old Philipp Santiago, has become the first recorded fatality of the 2025 Everest climbing season. Santiago died at Camp 4, the final staging point before the summit, after experiencing extreme exhaustion. His expedition was organized by Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition, and efforts are underway to bring his body back to base camp.
The climbing season on Mount Everest officially began on May 9, when eight Nepali climbers reached the summit. Since then, over 50 climbers have successfully ascended the peak, with favorable weather providing a narrow window for safe climbs. Nepal has issued 458 permits this season, with most climbers supported by local guides, contributing to the growing number of people on the mountain.
Overcrowding remains a major concern on Everest, where large numbers of climbers and support staff set up camp each spring. The mountain has seen deadly consequences from congestion in past years, including four deaths in 2019 directly linked to summit bottlenecks. Despite the risks, Everest continues to attract climbers from around the world, sustaining a booming mountaineering industry.
