A Filipino climber attempting to summit Mt. Everest has died at Camp IV, marking the first reported death of a foreign climber on the mountain during this year’s spring climbing season.
The climber, identified as 45-year-old Philipp II Santiago, was part of the Mountaineering Association of Krishnanagar – Snowy Everest Expedition 2025. He had reached Camp IV—also known as the South Col—late Tuesday evening in preparation for the final push to the summit when he passed away.
The cause of his death has not yet been determined. Recovery efforts to transport his body back to base camp were ongoing as of Wednesday morning.
Despite the incident, other members of the expedition continued with their summit attempts.
The Department of Tourism in Nepal confirmed that this was the season’s first recorded death of a foreign climber on Everest. Earlier in the season, two Sherpa support staff stationed at Everest Base Camp had also died after being flown to Kathmandu for medical treatment, although those fatalities were not linked to summit attempts.
Climbing activity on Everest typically peaks in May, when weather conditions offer a narrow window for ascents. The high altitude, extreme cold, and physical toll continue to pose significant risks to climbers every season.