How Many People Die on Mount Everest Each Year? Death Toll Explained

• Deaths, 1922 to 2025339 (Himalayan Database)
• Deadliest year2023, 18 deaths
• Deadliest single event2015 earthquake avalanche, 19 to 22
• Spring 20265 deaths, 1 Sherpa missing
• Summits to end of 202513,737 by 7,563 people
• Death rateAbout 2.5 per 100 summits

Mount Everest: The Deadly Reality

The world's tallest peak, Mount Everest (8,848.86 m), attracts thousands of adventurers each year who try to reach its summit. Most come home. A few each season don't make it back down alive.

It's impossible to ignore the alarming death toll that has been associated with the mountain over the years. Hence, many people want to know: how many people die on Everest every year?

In this blog article, we'll look at the gloomy response to that query and examine the factors that led to these tragedies.

An overview of how many people have died on Everest

The Himalayan Database, the authoritative record of Himalayan climbing kept since the work of archivist Elizabeth Hawley, counted 339 deaths on Everest from 1922 to the end of 2025, according to Alan Arnette's 2026 summary of its figures. Five more climbers died in spring 2026 and a Sherpa went missing. The deadliest single year was 2023, with 18 deaths. The season-by-season records behind all of these figures are maintained in the Himalayan Database, the archive founded on Elizabeth Hawley's expedition records.

Photo: Everest Death Zone

Most of the deaths on Everest have occurred in the "death zone," which is above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) in elevation. At this altitude, the air is thin, and oxygen levels are dangerously low, making it extremely difficult for climbers to breathe and remain conscious. The extreme weather conditions and treacherous terrain can also make it difficult to stay safe.

Avalanches and falls have killed more climbers on Everest than anything else, followed by altitude sickness, exposure and exhaustion (see the chart below). Heart attacks, strokes and frostbite also take their toll on climbers who push themselves too hard or venture out unprepared.

In recent years, overcrowding on the mountain has become a concern, as there have been reports of climbers queuing up for hours in order to summit. Every hour spent waiting above 8,000 m burns bottled oxygen and body heat, and the crowded 2019 season ended with 11 deaths. Our guide to Everest overcrowding covers what has changed since.

Given the number of deaths on Everest, it's easy to see why summiting the world's highest mountain has come with a significant cost. For those who attempt the feat, taking appropriate safety measures is essential in order to ensure a safe return home.

Everest Deaths by Decade

Note: this decade table comes from Wikipedia's list of Everest deaths as it stood in mid-2023, so the 2020s row is incomplete. The year-by-year chart below has the recent seasons.

Everest Deaths Year by Year

These are the seasons that shaped the record, with deaths counted on both the Nepal and Tibet sides. China issued no Everest permits for spring 2026, so every climber that year went up from Nepal. Two of the worst years had nothing to do with crowds or summit fever. In 2014 and 2015 the dead were mostly Sherpas and Base Camp staff, killed by ice and an earthquake.

Sources: Himalayan Database figures via Alan Arnette, ExplorersWeb for 2023. The 2026 count is provisional until the Himalayan Database publishes its season data.

What Kills Climbers on Everest?

Alan Arnette's last full breakdown by cause covers the 304 deaths recorded from 1924 to August 2020. Avalanches and falls account for almost half. The split changes with who is climbing. Sherpas have died mostly in avalanches, many of them in the Khumbu Icefall, which they cross again and again to stock the high camps. Foreign climbers die most often from falls, and a 2008 study of 212 deaths in the BMJ found that most happen on the way down from the summit.

Source: Himalayan Database via Alan Arnette (2021). "Other and unknown" is the remainder and includes heart attacks, strokes, disappearances and the 2015 earthquake.

How many people have conquered Mt. Everest?

The first two people who successfully climbed Mt. Everest were Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953. After their expedition, a number of people have reached the summit. The first woman to conquer the peak was Junko Tabei from Japan on May 16 1975.

By the end of 2025 the Himalayan Database had recorded 13,737 summits of Everest by 7,563 different people, according to Alan Arnette's 2026 summary. Spring 2026 added about 1,000 more in a single season, a record. Arnette counted 1,008.

Hired climbers, most of them Sherpas, made 7,081 of those 13,737 summits (52%). They also account for 130 of the 339 deaths, or 39%.

The highest number of summits by one person belongs to Kami Rita Sherpa, with 32, the latest on 17 May 2026. Pasang Dawa Sherpa is next with 31, and Lhakpa Sherpa holds the women's record with 11. Interestingly, ascent without the use of an oxygen tank is an unbelievable feat achieved by Ang Rita Sherpa. He has a record of doing so for 10 times.

The record for the fastest ascent from Base Camp on the south side is held by Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who reached the top in 10 hours 56 minutes 46 seconds on 26 May 2003 (Guinness World Records). The oldest person to reach the summit is Yūichirō Miura of Japan, who was 80 when he climbed it in May 2013.

The Dangers of Mount Everest: Why So Many People Die Trying to Conquer It?

The world's tallest mountain, Mt. Everest, stands at a towering 8,848.86 meters (29,032 feet) high, making it one of the most dangerous mountains to climb in the world. Every spring hundreds of climbers try for the summit, and a handful die. In 2019, the year of the famous summit-ridge traffic jam, 11 people died. The years since tell the recent story: 18 deaths in 2023, 8 in 2024, 5 in 2025, and 5 in the record-crowded spring of 2026, when one Sherpa was also reported missing.

So why do so many people die on Everest? There are a variety of factors that contribute to the danger of climbing the peak. First and foremost, the climate is incredibly harsh and unforgiving. Temperatures drop below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) even during the day, and there is very little oxygen available as you ascend. The lack of oxygen can cause altitude sickness, and climbers often experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Icy winds and powerful snowstorms can strike quickly and without warning, making navigation difficult and dangerous.

Climbers must also contend with a multitude of other risks. Accidents involving crevasses, avalanches, and falling rocks can cause serious injury or death. The psychological strain of climbing Everest is also immense as many climbers suffer from fatigue, anxiety, and even depression while on the mountain. Finally, there are inherent dangers associated with commercial expeditions. Large teams of climbers can become clogged up on narrow pathways, leading to bottlenecks at key points on the mountain. This increases the risk of overcrowding and exhaustion.

Overall, summiting Mt. Everest is a massive undertaking and requires climbers to be both physically and mentally prepared for the challenge ahead. Despite this, however, the mountain continues to take lives every year due to its formidable conditions and unpredictable weather.

What Happens to the Bodies of Those Who Die on Everest?

Sadly, those who pass away on Everest have limited alternatives for what to do with their remains. The dead are rarely attempted to be recovered because it is both extremely risky and expensive to do so. As a result, many bodies are still on the mountain. Our article on Everest's dead bodies explains why they are so hard to bring down.

The majority of bodies are actually merely left behind, frequently in a location where climbers passing by on their ascent or descent of the peak might witness them. In an effort to give the dead the sense of a decent burial, it has become customary to cover them with rock or stones. However, because of the gritty weather and varying snow patterns, the remains are frequently still evident.

Photo: The body known as “Green Boots”, identified in 2026 as Indian climber Dorje Morup.

Although some families have made an effort to locate their loved ones' remains, it is not always practicable. In some instances, it might be impossible or unsafe to find the remains. In other instances, the costs of recovery may be astronomically high.

There are organizations devoted to recovering the remains of individuals who lost their life on the mountain in an effort to uphold the honor of those who have died on Everest.

To make certain that the bodies are revered and treated with dignity, these organizations collaborate with expedition teams, sherpas, and other climbers. Additionally, they gather money to assist in covering the costs of removing the dead from the mountain's remote regions.

Who Are the Victims of Everest's Death Toll?

The victims of the death toll on Everest range from experienced mountaineers to novice adventurers, from locals to internationals, from all ages and backgrounds. Every year, climbers from all around the world attempt to summit the world’s highest mountain, but not everyone makes it to the top and back safely.

Over the years, professional climbers, expert guides, and novices alike have been among the fatalities. Experienced climbers often overestimate their abilities and fail to take the necessary precautions in order to stay safe. Others succumb to altitude sickness or fall while attempting difficult terrain. In addition to these, there are those who become exhausted due to high winds, hypothermia, and other external factors.

For native guides and sherpas, climbing Everest poses additional dangers. Despite their reputation for being skilled at negotiating the dangerous terrain, the locals are nevertheless susceptible to altitude sickness and poor weather. They've even been compelled to make impossibly difficult choices in some situations to save the lives of their customers.

Sadly, many young climbers who are anxious to reach the peak are among the Everest casualties. With the advancement of technology, inexperienced climbers can now buy specialized equipment and employ knowledgeable guides to assist them on the mountain.

This makes it possible for more people to undertake the climb, but it also increases the danger to which they are exposed.

The death toll is a reminder that the mountain should never be taken lightly. No matter how skilled you are as a climber, it's critical to keep in mind that the mountain can be deadly and unpredictable. Good guidance and equipment lower the risk, but they can't remove it.

The Real Cost of Summiting Everest

It takes great skill and sacrifice to conquer Mount Everest, both financially and in terms of safety.

Depending on the route taken and the services used, an expedition to the top of Everest in general can cost from about USD 35,000 with a budget Nepali operator to USD 70,000 or more with a Western-led team, and some premium expeditions charge over USD 100,000. Nepal's climbing royalty alone rose from USD 11,000 to USD 15,000 on 1 September 2025. Personal gear, insurance and tips usually come on top.

The cost of summiting Everest is also counted in lives. Every year, hundreds of people risk their lives to reach the summit. Records begin with the British expeditions of the 1920s, and the deadliest years each have a distinct cause: 18 died in 2023 amid crowding and a fickle jet stream, 16 Nepali workers were killed by a single Khumbu Icefall avalanche in 2014, at least 18 died when the 2015 earthquake swept Base Camp, and the 1996 storm made famous by Into Thin Air claimed 15 across that year. Climbing Everest remains dangerous. Across all years the Himalayan Database counts about 2.5 deaths for every 100 summits. Recent seasons have been safer: 5 deaths against about 1,000 summits in 2026 works out to roughly one death per 200 summits.

Because of this, it's crucial to examine the actual cost of climbing Everest. It concerns life as well as money. The potential reward of reaching the summit and conquering one of the most famous peaks in the world must be weighed against the climber's own safety.

Why Do People Climb Everest?

It’s a question many of us have asked ourselves. Why do people risk their lives to climb the world’s highest mountain? After all, it’s an extreme undertaking that takes months of preparation and even then, the odds are not in anyone’s favor. The simple answer is that climbing Everest is a challenge like no other. It requires physical, mental and emotional strength.

For some, it’s a chance to prove to themselves that they can accomplish something difficult and unique. For others, it’s an opportunity to conquer something that few have done before. For still others, it’s an adventure that combines exploration with an element of danger and thrill.

In addition to the personal rewards, climbing Everest provides a sense of accomplishment on a larger scale. Reaching the summit of the world’s highest mountain is an achievement that can be shared with family, friends, and future generations. It’s a story that will be told over and over again, inspiring others to push their boundaries and follow their dreams.

Climbing Everest is also about making history. Those who reach the summit of Everest become part of a very select group of individuals who can call themselves “Everesters”. Their names will forever be linked to the mountain and its challenges.

Finally, for many, Everest is a spiritual experience. There is something magical about standing on the roof of the world, surrounded by vast open skies and immense glaciers. It’s a chance to connect with nature and yourself in a way that isn’t possible anywhere else.

No matter what the reason, there is no doubt that climbing Everest is an endeavor that requires courage, dedication and commitment. Those who make the summit will never forget the experience and will always cherish it as one of the most important events of their lives.

What Is the “Death Zone” On Everest?

The “death zone” on Everest is an area above 8,000 meters (26,000 feet) that has extremely low levels of oxygen. This makes it difficult for climbers to perform even basic functions like thinking and speaking clearly, let alone climbing. The reduced oxygen levels also increase the risk of altitude sickness and hypothermia, which can lead to death in a very short amount of time.

Climbers who venture into this region must use supplemental oxygen if they are to have any chance of survival. Even then, the effects of altitude sickness can be extreme and deadly if not treated properly. To make matters worse, the death zone is one of the most remote and difficult regions of the mountain to reach, so help depends on other climbers and Sherpas nearby, and a rescue can take many hours to reach you.

While the death zone is a dangerous place, the fact that so many people choose to attempt to climb the world’s highest mountain despite the risks speaks volumes about their bravery and commitment.

Is There Any Hope for Reducing the Number of Deaths on Everest?

Yes is the simplest response to this query. To lower the number of fatalities on Everest, numerous initiatives have been made in recent years. Nepal has tightened its rules several times since 2024.

Since 27 February 2024 every Everest climber has had to rent a tracking chip. The Sixth Amendment to the mountaineering rules, in February 2025, banned solo climbs of 8,000 m peaks and set a ratio of one guide for every two climbers. Two other ideas are still proposals in the 2025 tourism bill as of October 2026. One would make climbers summit a 7,000 m peak in Nepal first. The other would require a health certificate.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), a local non-profit set up in 1991, manages trash and human waste on the mountain and runs the Icefall Doctors who fix the route through the Khumbu Icefall.

Finally, there are a number of non-profit organizations and charities that have been established to help provide education, training, and support for aspiring Everest climbers. These organizations provide resources and guidance to help ensure that climbers are properly prepared and equipped for their journey up the mountain.

By tightening regulations, increasing awareness about the dangers of summiting Everest and providing resources for climbers, it is possible that the death toll on Everest can be reduced in the future. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate the risks associated with summiting the world's highest peak, these efforts should help to ensure that future generations can continue to pursue this amazing adventure safely.

Nepal is also acting on the mountain itself. Since 2019 the Nepali Army has run an annual Mountain Cleanup Campaign, and the 2024 operation, 12 soldiers supported by 18 Sherpas, brought down 11 tonnes of garbage, four bodies, and one skeleton from Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. In late 2025 the government unveiled its first five-year Everest Cleaning Action Plan (2025-2029) and began testing heavy-lift drones that can carry 15 kg loads from the high camps to Base Camp in minutes, work that previously cost Sherpas hours in the Icefall.

Best season for Climbing Mount Everest

The optimum time to attempt to climb Mount Everest for the majority of climbers is spring, from April to early June. A multitude of variables, including the climate and the accessibility of support personnel and resources determines this. Spring is considered the ideal period for climbing in the Himalayas. This is due to the fact that the weather is typically more consistent during this time of year, with clear sky and calm winds. It is simpler to acclimate to the high altitude because the temperatures are also milder. Teams reach Base Camp in early April, and most summits come in the second half of May. In 2026 about 80% of the 1,008 summits happened between 17 and 26 May, according to Alan Arnette.

Although April and May are typically regarded as the optimum months for climbing, there are a few factors to take into account when organizing your excursion.

It is crucial to remember that storms and strong winds can occur at any moment due to the unpredictability of the weather. Additionally, there may be delays because of congestion as these months are popular.

Autumn, in September and October, is the second climbing season in the Himalaya, but few teams try Everest then.

Fresh monsoon snow raises the avalanche risk, the days are colder, and the jet stream returns to the summit early. Autumn summits of Everest are rare.

No matter when you decide to attempt the ascent of Mount Everest, it is crucial to make the necessary preparations and plans. As you ascend at a high altitude, it's crucial to be aware of any potential risks and to have adequate medical insurance in case anything goes wrong.

Is Mount Everest Safe to Climb?

Mount Everest is not a safe place to climb, and many have paid the ultimate price for attempting the summit. 

About 340 people died on the mountain between 1922, when records began, and the end of 2025. The death rate per summit has fallen as forecasts, fixed ropes and rescues have improved, but the total still grows by a few each season.

Climbing Everest requires great physical and mental strength, and climbers must be prepared to face extreme weather conditions, avalanches, hypothermia, frostbite, exhaustion, altitude sickness, and more. Although precautions can be taken to ensure safety, climbing Everest is still a risky endeavor and should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers.

Conclusion

The fatalities on Everest serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the risks climbers undergo to reach the summit of the tallest mountain in the world. The yearly toll swings with weather and crowds, from 18 deaths in 2023 to 5 in 2026.

The risks of climbing Everest can be fatal as more individuals seek to do so by underestimating the risks.

Everest Death Toll: FAQs