Viral Video Shows Mount Everest Traffic Jam Two Climbers Feared Dead

Photo : Screengrab / X / @1goodtern

A video showing long queues of climbers on Mount Everest has gone viral on social media. The footage, posted on Instagram by Rajan Dwivedi on May 20, depicts a "traffic jam" of climbers waiting in a single line to reach the summit. According to the New York Post, this congestion occurred after an incident on Tuesday where British climber Daniel Paterson and his Nepali Sherpa, Pastenji, were struck by falling ice while descending from the peak.

Dwivedi’s post highlights the serious nature of climbing Everest, stating that descending was a "nightmare and exhausting" due to the large number of climbers trying to capitalize on a favorable weather window. He successfully summited Everest at 6 a.m. on May 19.

The video is one of many that show the apparent constant rush hour on the world's highest peak, standing at 8,848 meters. This congestion has been dubbed a "traffic jam" by social media users and has raised concerns among environmentalists and seasoned climbers about overcrowding on Everest. Despite the dangers and fatalities, the mountain remains a popular challenge for adventurers.

These videos of the queue up Everest and the aftermath of the cornice collapse that killed a couple of people...
There's something about this that sums up so much of what's wrong with the world.
😮 pic.twitter.com/S2qv1oBAOG

— tern (@1goodtern) May 24, 2024

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The latest climbers feared dead are Daniel Paterson, 39, and his guide Pastenji Sherpa, 23. They were part of a group that reached the summit on Tuesday but have not been heard from since. According to a BBC report, the collapse happened at the Hilary Step, a vertical rock face near the summit, causing the men to fall towards the Tibet side, which is known for its steep and perilous terrain.

The high altitude of Everest presents extreme challenges. Oxygen levels and air pressure at such heights are insufficient to sustain human life for extended periods, making the climb particularly dangerous.

Paterson took on the Everest challenge to raise money for the family of a gym member who recently died from cancer. The expedition company organizing the climb confirmed the collapse and the subsequent fall of Paterson and Pastenji, emphasizing the inherent risks associated with such a high-altitude adventure.