Triumph and Tragedy on Annapurna: Climbing Season Begins with Milestones and Perils

The Himalayan climbing season is off to a dramatic start, as success and danger intertwine on the treacherous slopes of Annapurna, one of the planet's deadliest mountains. Amidst a backdrop of uncertainty, climbers are pushing their limits, facing both triumph and tragedy.

In a remarkable achievement, the Imagine Nepal team has successfully scaled the first 8,000-meter summit of the Spring 2025 climbing season, reaching the top of Mount Annapurna-I (8,091 meters). Sherpa guide Phinjo Dorjee Sherpa, along with Dipan Gurung and Zhao YiYi from China, stood atop the world's 10th highest peak at 10:10 am today, marking a significant milestone for this season.

According to Dawa Futi Sherpa, managing director of Imagine Nepal, the summit was achieved after an earlier attempt on March 26 was called off due to extreme weather conditions above 7,500 meters. “The summit of Annapurna-It wasn't easy it came after weeks of acclimatization and rotations that began on March 10,” she stated. “But the team pushed forward with determination and succeeded during their second summit push.” Sherpa also lauded the team's efforts in fixing a route to the summit, paving the way for all climbers attempting the mountain this season.

However, the euphoria of this achievement is overshadowed by the stark realities of climbing in the Himalayas. Today, an avalanche struck just above Camp II on Annapurna, sweeping away two Sherpas from the Seven Summit Treks team, who are now reported missing. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable and perilous nature of the mountain, a fact echoed by renowned climber Mingma G, who stated in a recent Instagram post, “This mountain has been the most dangerous, and I have never seen conditions like this. I will never come back to climb Annapurna again.”

As climbers grapple with these dangers, the community remains hopeful. Yesterday, Dawa Sherpa, managing director of Seven Summit Treks, mentioned on his social media, “This evening, Seven Summit Treks is teaming up with Pioneer Adventures and 8K Expeditions to fix the last 400 to 500 meters of rope” a critical preparation that will pave the way for more climbers to attempt their summit bids in the coming days. We don’t know now if that plan has changed due finishing of their sherpas or whether they will continue to the summit push .

While some teams, including advanced groups from Seven Summit Treks, have successfully navigated the mountain, the recent avalanche has cast a shadow over the climbing season, leaving many climbers and their families in a state of anxiety.

As of now, Department of Tourism officials have confirmed that two climbers—Nima Rinji Sherpa and Nima Tashi Sherpa—are still missing following the avalanche. Speaking to us, Department of Tourism Information Officer Liladhar Awasthi said, “The rescue team is actively searching for them, but they have not yet been located.”

This stark reminder of the dangers of mountaineering underscores the need for not only skill and determination, but also a profound respect for nature’s unpredictability.

As the Himalayan season progresses, the hope remains that more climbers will safely summit Annapurna, while those missing are found. The spirit of adventure continues to thrive, but the message is clear: safety and awareness are paramount in the face of the mountain’s formidable challenges.