At least 40 climbers and expedition workers have died across Nepal’s Himalayas and PoK’s Karakoram since May this year, making 2026 the region’s deadliest mountaineering year since 2015. Heavy snowfall and changing weather created hazardous conditions, but decisions to continue climbing or remain at exposed camps despite worsening weather also figured in several deaths. 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).
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