American Climber Shelley Johannesen Summits Makalu Before Dying in Avalanche
The 53-year-old co-founder of U.S.-based Dash Adventures reached the 27,838-foot summit before being killed at around 23,600 feet while descending. Officials announced her death Tuesday as fatalities mount in Nepal's spring climbing season, which has already claimed four other lives.
asiaone.com-based outfitter Dash Adventures, died in an avalanche on Mount Makalu after successfully reaching its 27,838-foot summit, expedition organizers said. Johannesen was killed on Monday while descending from the summit of the world's fifth-highest peak. She was struck by an avalanche at around 23,600 feet just below Camp 3, Nabin Trital, managing director of Expedition Himalaya, told AFP.
Officials announced Shelley Johannesen's death on Tuesday. Her body was flown to a Kathmandu hospital on Monday. She was climbing with a three-member team that included her partner David Ashley and two Nepali guides.
CBS News reported that David Roubinek, a 38-year-old Czech climber, and three Nepali guides have died in the Himalayas so far this season. David Ashley said he was heartbroken by Shelley Johannesen's death. "Shelley was not just an incredible person, but lived her life with no limits and chased her passions around the world," he said in a post on social media on Tuesday.
Makalu is a steep pyramid-shaped mountain southeast of Mount Everest. It is considered technically challenging because of extreme weather and its remote location. Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks.
The country attracts hundreds of climbers each year during the spring and autumn climbing seasons. Authorities have issued more than 1,000 permits this season for 30 mountains. They issued 72 permits for Makalu this season and a record 492 permits for Everest this season.
CBS News reported the fatalities come early in Nepal's busy spring climbing season.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- 2026-05-11
Shelley Johannesen reaches 27,838-foot summit of Mount Makalu then killed in avalanche at 23,600 feet just below Camp 3 while descending
3 sourcesexpedition organizers · Nabin Trital · CBS News - 2026-05-11
Johannesen's body flown to Kathmandu hospital
1 sourceCBS News - 2026-05-12
David Ashley posts statement on social media expressing heartbreak
2 sourcesDavid Ashley · CBS News - 2026-05-12
Officials announce Shelley Johannesen's death
2 sourcesofficials · CBS News
Potential Impact
- 01
Heightened awareness of avalanche risk on descent routes below Camp 3 on Makalu for future expeditions
- 02
Early-season deaths may prompt closer scrutiny of permit issuance and safety protocols on technically challenging peaks like Makalu
- 03
Further fatalities could affect Nepal's spring climbing tourism economy given more than 1,000 permits already issued across 30 mountains
Transparency Panel
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