Briton’s fears over crowds on Everest before fatal ascent
A BRITISH climber who became the latest of seven adventurers to die on Everest in the past fortnight had spoken of his fears about overcrowding on the mountain.
Robin Haynes Fisher, 44, perished in the ‘death zone’ known for its dangerously low oxygen levels during his descent after reaching the summit on Saturday.
It means at least ten people have been killed on the world’s highest mountain this season, which runs from March to May.
Nepal has been criticised for issuing 381 permits to climb Everest this season, costing £8,600 each – more than ever before. In contrast, 346 were granted last year.
A dramatic image taken last week gave a shocking illustration of overcrowding on the mountain, with hundreds of climbers queuing to reach the summit.
In one of his last social media posts, Mr Fisher said he had developed a cough at altitude and had changed his plans by going for the summit on Saturday, May 25, to avoid the crowds, which he feared could cause life-threatening delays.
He said: ‘ With a single route to the summit, delays caused by overcrowding could prove fatal so I am hopeful my decision to go for the 25th will mean fewer people. Unless of course everyone else plays the same waiting game.’
Local guides blame congested routes for the death toll because waiting in queues means climbers are kept in a low- oxygen environment and exposed to harsher winds for longer.
Murari Sharma, managing director of the climbing firm Everest Parivar Expedition, said Mr Fisher and a sherpa reached the summit at around 8.30am on Saturday and had descended 160 yards when he lost consciousness. Despite efforts to rouse him and give him oxygen and water, he did not respond, and guides radioed their base camp to confirm that he was dead just 45 minutes after he had stood on the 29,029ft peak.
‘He died because of weakness after a long ascent and difficult descent,’ Mr Sharma said.
‘He was descending with his sherpa guides from the summit when he suddenly fainted.’ Kristyn Carriere, Mr Fisher’s partner, paid tribute to the IT specialist on social media, posting: ‘He got his goal.
‘My heart is broken. It was his ultimate challenge.’
His family described him as an ‘aspirational adventurer’ who ‘lived life to the full’, adding: ‘He achieved so much in his short life, climbing Mont Blanc, Aconcagua and Everest.
‘He was a “tough guy”, triathlete, and marathoner. A champion for vegetarianism, author, and a cultured theatre-goer, lover of Shakespeare.
‘We are deeply saddened by his loss as he still had so many more adventures and dreams to fulfil.
‘Everyone who met him in any capacity will always remember the positive impact he had on their lives. Robin is a much loved and loving son, brother, partner, uncle and friend.’
A series of deaths have occurred on Everest in the past two weeks. Irish father- of-two Kevin Hynes, 56, died in his tent at 23,000ft in the early hours of Friday morning after turning back before the summit.
A week earlier, Professor Seamus Lawless, 39, from Trinity College in Dublin fell during his descent after achieving a lifelong goal of reaching the summit.
An American, an Austrian and two Indians have also died.
Garrett Madison, of Madison Mountaineering, a US firm that organises ascents of Everest, said many climbers were not ‘well qualified or prepared’ and didn’t have the right support to ascend and descend safely.
He added: ‘If they were with a strong and experienced team they would have likely been fine. But with minimal support, once something goes wrong it’s tough to get back on course.’
‘His ultimate challenge’ ‘ With a single route to the summit, delays caused by ’ overcrowding could prove fatal