Everest veteran dies at base camp

The town of Namche Bazaar, on the trail to the foot of Everest.

The town of Namche Bazaar, on the trail to the foot of Everest.

Published Apr 23, 2012

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Kathmandu -

A Nepali Sherpa guide who climbed Mount Everest no less than 10 times has died at the base camp of the world's tallest mountain, expedition organizers said Thursday.

Karsang Namgyal, 40, died on Wednesday due to altitude sickness at the base camp, located at an altitude of 5,300 metres, according to Darmabar Parajuli of Prestige Adventure, the organizer of the expedition.

“We left for the Everest base camp on April 10 and he seemed fine until Wednesday afternoon,” said Parajuli. “We wanted to rescue him after he complained of discomfort in his chest, but couldn't fly him out because of bad weather and he didn't make it.”

Namgyal was to be cremated according to Buddhist rituals on Friday. He was the son of legendary climber Ang Rita Sherpa, who climbed Mount Everest and many other mountains in Nepal on several occasions.

Nearly 250 people have died on the world's tallest mountain since it opened to climbers 57 years ago. - Sapa-dpa

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