Famed climber killed near Everest

Kathmandu, April 30

Famed Swiss climber Ueli Steck was killed today in a mountaineering accident near Mount Everest in Nepal, expedition organisers said.

Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks said Steck was killed at Camp 1 of Mount Nuptse. His body has been recovered from the site and been taken to Lukla, where the only airport in the Mount Everest area is located.

Steck, 40, was in the area acclimatising ahead of a bid to climb Mount Everest through the less-climbed West Ridge route and traverse to Lhotse, the world’s fourth highest peak at 8,516 metres (27,940 feet) in May.

Steck’s family said the exact circumstances of his death were still unclear. “The family is infinitely sad and asks that the media refrain from speculating about his death out of respect and consideration for Ueli,” it said in a statement.

He was the first casualty in the spring mountaineering season in Nepal that began in March and will end in May.

Steck was one of the most-renowned mountaineers of his generation. He was best known for his speed-climbing. In 2013, he achieved the first solo climb of the Annapurna south face in Nepal. For that he received the “Piolet d’Or”, considered the Oscar of mountaineering, the following year. — Agencies