Two Mountaineers Die on Nepal’s Ama Dablam Mountain Climb

Two mountaineers lost their lives while attempting to conquer Nepal’s Ama Dablam mountain — one of the most iconic and technically challenging peaks in the Himalayas. The tragedy has left the mountaineering community in deep sorrow, highlighting once again the risks that come with chasing high-altitude dreams.

According to hiking officials, 65-year-old French climber Hugo Lucio Colonia Lazaro died after being struck on the head by a falling piece of ice during his ascent of Ama Dablam mountain. Despite being airlifted to Kathmandu by helicopter, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

In a separate incident, South Korean mountaineer Hong Khy Park, aged 66, collapsed and died on Sunday while climbing Ama Dablam with a team of five fellow climbers. Officials said the team was nearing a steep section of the mountain when Park suddenly collapsed, and efforts to revive him failed.

The Ama Dablam mountain, standing at 6,814 meters in the Himalayas, is often called the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas” for its sharp ridges and majestic pyramid-like peak. Though smaller than Mount Everest, it is known for its technical difficulty and unpredictable conditions, attracting climbers from around the world.

Nepal’s tourism department revealed that over 400 climbing permits were issued for Ama Dablam during this autumn season, which ends next month. Mountain climbing remains a crucial part of Nepal’s tourism economy, offering employment to guides, porters, and local communities.

Earlier this month, another South Korean hiker also lost his life while scaling a trekking peak in the same region, underscoring the dangers even seasoned climbers face in Nepal’s high-altitude terrains.

The tragic deaths of Hugo Lucio Colonia Lazaro and Hong Khy Park serve as a somber reminder of the power and peril of the Himalayas, where beauty, adventure, and risk coexist at breathtaking heights.