French climber dies on Mt Makalu, death toll reaches 2

French climber died above 8,000m on Mt Makalu taking the season’s death toll to two in the spring climbing season.

According to Bodhraj Bhandari, managing director at Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition, Johnny Saliba, 60, breathed his last at around 8,120m while descending towards lower camp on Sunday.

“Johnny complained of illness at 8,350m while heading for the summit push,” Bhandari said, adding that he was immediately brought down by his guide Jangbu Sherpa but he breathed his last at around 8,120m.

Johnny was a part of 10-member expedition led by Serge Brazin from France. The incident occurred when Serge, Francois Paul and Johnny along with two guides were heading for the summit push, he said. Serge, Francois Paul and Furdeni Sherpa made it to summit point, according to Bhandari.

Efforts were underway to recover his body from the high camp, he informed. Earlier, Lakpa Tenji Sherpa from Solukhumbu died near Camp III on Mt Makalu while returning from the summit point on May 7.