A German climber died on Mount Amadablam (6,812m) in Nepal’s Everest region, police said in Kathmandu yesterday.
“The 58-year-old man, identified as Christoph Graf von Preysing was on his way down to Camp One from Camp Two of the mountain after summitting on Monday, when he died,” said Bhanubhakta Nepal, a police officer stationed in the Everest region.
“He reportedly fell down and, when his friends tried to help him get up, he had already died.”
Von Preysing was in a team of two Slovakian and three German climbers.
High altitude was suspected to be the cause of his death, however the precise cause had not been ascertained. His body had been flown to Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu for autopsy.
The region was also on high alert after weather worsened on the mountain, believed to be due to the impact of Cyclone Nilofer approaching India from the Arabian Sea. Police said around 450 trekkers currently in Lukla, in the Everest region, were safe.
“Trekkers have been warned and we expect them to put up at the lodges along the way, should weather worsen.”
The government issued warnings to trekking agencies and stakeholders on Monday to exercise caution in the face of the approaching storm.
Two weeks ago, at least 40 were killed in Nepal’s central mountains as blizzards swept the region, brought on by Cyclone Hudhud hitting neighbouring India.
