Search teams have found the body of Wolfgang Waschiczek, 57, of Germany, who went missing after he reached Camp 3 on his way down from the summit. Evidence shows he fell 1,700m to his death.
Issues on descent
Waschiczek was one among over 200 climbers who lined up toward the summit of Ama Dablam this past weekend. He reached the top on October 25 with guide Sonam Sherpa, but for some reason the two of them stopped descending at a rather high point on the mountain.
“The pair decided to stay at Camp 3 overnight after borrowing a sleeping bag and other gear from other climbers,” his expedition outfitter, Real Himalaya Nepal, told The Tourism Times.
Climbers above Camp 3 on Ama Dablam. Photo: Dorjee Gyalzen Sherpa
According to the outfitter, the climbers prepared to continue down this morning. Lama asked his client to stay in place while he returned the sleeping bag to the tent where he had borrowed it. When the Sherpa returned, Waschiczek was nowhere to be found, but his crampons were still there, which suggested a freak fall. A search helicopter was called, and the remains of the climber were found this afternoon at around 4,500m.
Waschiczek is the first fatality on Ama Dablam this season.
Crowds on top
Together with Manaslu, Ama Dablam is the most popular fall mountain in Nepal. The latest update from Nepal’s Department of Tourism on October 17 showed that over 300 foreign climbers had applied for a climbing permit. That day, the rope-fixing team opened the route to the top, and a massive summit wave started a couple of days later.
Virtually all foreign climbers are guided by one or two Sherpas, so the summit rates and numbers are remarkable. Local media estimate that over 200 climbers, among locals and foreigners, have topped out so far this season. Further teams should join them over the rest of October and November. However, no matter how tamed with ropes and anchors Ama Dablam gets, a fall from its steep slopes is usually lethal.
The upper part of Ama Dablam at sunset. Photo: 8K Expeditions
