Key Takeaways:

• German climber Wolfgang Waschiczek died after a 1,700 metre fall on Ama Dablam
• Accident occurred a day after he successfully reached the summit
• Body recovered at around 4,500 metres following search operation
• First reported Ama Dablam climbing fatality of the season

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 26 A German climber who had successfully summited Ama Dablam a day earlier died after falling about 1,700 metres during his descent, becoming the first reported fatality on the mountain this season. Wolfgang Waschiczek, went missing from Camp III at around 6,200 metres on Monday morning while preparing to descend. His body was later located and recovered at around 4,500 metres following a helicopter-assisted search operation, according to expedition officials. Waschiczek and his guide, Sonam Lama, had reached the summit on October 25 and returned to Camp III the same evening. The pair spent the night at the camp after borrowing sleeping gear from fellow climbers. According to expedition officials, Lama briefly left the camp area on Monday morning to return the borrowed equipment after asking Waschiczek to wait with his safety gear. When he returned a few minutes later, the climber was gone. The exact circumstances surrounding the accident have not been independently established. A search and rescue operation involving a Kailash helicopter was launched after he was reported missing. His body was later recovered and transported to Kathmandu for a post-mortem examination. The accident is the first reported death on Ama Dablam this climbing season, during which more than 300 climbers are said to be attempting the mountain.