Czech climber dies on Makalu II during summit push
The alpinist, 38, dies from suspected altitude sickness during a summit push as teammates abandon the climb in a bid to save him
PC: Pemba Jangbu Sherpa
A Czech climber has died while attempting to scale Makalu II, also known as Kangchungtse, in eastern Nepal on Tuesday, expedition officials said.
David Roubínek, 38, fell ill during a summit push at high altitude and died while being assisted down from Camp III, according to organisers.
“He was suffering symptoms consistent with high-altitude pulmonary edema,” said Pemba Jangbu Sherpa of I AM Treks and Expedition, which managed the climb locally. “His teammates abandoned their ascent and tried to bring him down, but he collapsed below Camp III and could not be revived.”
Roubínek was part of a seven-member Czech-Slovak team attempting the 7,678-metre peak in alpine style, without Sherpa support above base camp.
Four climbers had reached Camp III at around 7,400 metres to begin their summit bid when Roubínek became ill after spending the night there, officials said.
Despite efforts by fellow climbers, including administering oxygen and emergency care at altitude, he died at roughly 7,200 metres during the descent.
Other members of the expedition are safe and have returned to lower camps, organisers said, adding that recovery efforts are under way in difficult conditions.
Makalu II lies near Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak at 8,485 metres, and is considered a technically demanding and rarely climbed mountain.
Fatalities are not uncommon in Nepal’s high Himalayas, where extreme altitude, unpredictable weather and limited rescue options pose constant risks to climbers.
