Grimmest climbing year since '15 as bad weather, risky calls kill 40

AI Summary

Forty climbers died during the deadliest mountaineering year since 2015, with bad weather and risky decisions cited as contributing factors. Two avalanches killed 26 people, including 10 on Broad Peak and 16 at Himlung Himal; the Broad Peak victims included record-setting mountaineer Nirmal Purja.

Two avalanches accounted for 26 fatalities; 10 were on Broad Peak (8,051m), including record-setting mountaineer Nirmal Purja and five other accomplished Nepalese climbers, and 16 at Himlung Himal (7,126m).