KATHMANDU: The autumn climbing season recorded the first death after a Polish female climber died at Camp III on Mt Manaslu (8,163m), according to the expedition organiser.

Mingma Sherpa, Chairman at Seven Summit Treks, said that Rita Donata Bladyko (50) from Poland died while descending Mt Manaslu at Camp III early this morning.

“The fellow climbers took her to Camp III from above Camp IV at 8,000 m when she fell ill last evening,” Sherpa quoted the base camp officials as saying. The climber, who complained of hypothermia while ascending the mountain, breathed her last at around 4:00 am he added.

Efforts were underway to airlift the deceased from Camp III, Sherpa said, adding that helicopters couldn’t fly to Manaslu region due to bad weather till late in the afternoon.

Being part of a five-member Polish expedition led by Zbigniew Bak, Rita Donata had only reached above Camp IV of the world’s eighth highest peak. Team leader and support staff have already descended to the base camp, according to Sherpa. Bladyko family in Poland have been informed of her death, Sherpa said.

According to Rameshwar Niraula at the Department of Tourism, at least 12 Polish climbers, including four women, obtained a climbing permit for Mt Manaslu this season.