KATHMANDU — The 2025 Everest climbing season has already claimed its first lives. An Indian climber and a mountaineer from the Philippines tragically died while attempting to scale the world’s highest peak, officials confirmed on May 16.

Subrata Ghosh, 45, from India, passed away on May 15 just below the notorious Hillary Step, a treacherous section close to the summit at 8,849 meters. Ghosh reportedly refused to descend from this dangerous spot, according to Bodhraj Bhandari, head of Nepal’s Snowy Horizon Treks and Expeditions, the company organizing the international expedition.

The Hillary Step lies within Everest’s infamous “death zone” — the extreme altitude area above 8,000 meters where oxygen levels are too low to sustain human life for long. Rescue efforts are underway to bring Ghosh’s body down to base camp, and a post-mortem will determine the exact cause of death.

Meanwhile, Philipp Santiago II, 45, from the Philippines, died on May 14 while resting at the South Col during his ascent. Tourism official Himal Gautam said Santiago was exhausted after reaching the fourth high camp and passed away inside his tent.

Both Ghosh and Santiago were part of the same expedition led by Bhandari.

This year, Nepal issued 459 permits for Everest climbers, and close to 100 climbers and their guides have already reached the summit during this season, which runs from March through May.

For Nepal, mountaineering tourism remains a vital source of income and employment, despite the risks involved.

Since the early days of Everest expeditions over a century ago, more than 345 climbers have lost their lives on the mountain, according to Himalayan climbing records.

Source:  The Straits Times – Indian, Filipino the first to die in 2025 Everest climbing season

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Scaling the towering 500-foot El Matador on Wyoming’s Devil’s Tower is no small feat for any climber, let alone one who is blind. For Jesse Dufton, born with the degenerative eye condition cone-rod dystrophy, this monumental achievement represents a triumph over limitations and a bold rejection of fate.

Climbing Into the Unknown

With only the sound of his wife and climbing partner, Molly Dufton, offering guidance through a headset, Jesse scaled the sheer rock face. “I got you. Go on, buddy,” Molly reassured him from below. Exhausted but undeterred, Jesse jammed his hands and feet into cracks, relying on touch, strength, and trust to guide his ascent.

Jesse’s vision has deteriorated over time, leaving him with just light perception by age 39. But he wasn’t completely unaware of the height—gusting winds and the sound of birds flying beneath him served as stark reminders of the precarious climb.

Overcoming Fear and Danger

On the climb, Jesse remained composed. “Exhausted? Yes. Terrified? Not particularly,” he said. His fear, he explained, aligns more with the perceived danger of falling rather than the height itself. Proper preparation and secure gear help him mitigate the risks.

Despite his confidence, Jesse took several “massive whippers” (falls) during the climb. These, however, were safely managed thanks to his meticulous planning and the couple’s communication system.

A Life of Firsts in Climbing

Jesse’s achievements include climbing the famed Old Man of Hoy in Scotland and establishing a 300-foot multi-pitch route in Morocco. However, El Matador posed a unique challenge—its steep columns, overhangs, and cracks made it the hardest climb he’s ever attempted.

Though he hoped to “on-sight” the route (climbing it with no falls or prior observation), a slip made this impossible. Nonetheless, he became the first blind climber to conquer the imposing rock face, a journey documented in the film Climbing Blind II.

“Giving Fate the Middle Finger”

For Jesse, climbing is about more than the physical challenge. “I don’t want my genetic fate to determine my life choices,” he said. Comparing climbing to everyday risks like crossing the street, he added, “If you never take any risk, you condemn yourself to the certainty of missing out.”

Jesse views his endurance as his superpower, compensating for less finger strength with extraordinary stamina. His ability to navigate rock faces by feel, combined with Molly’s guidance, makes the pair an unstoppable team.

A Partnership Built on Trust

Jesse and Molly’s partnership is a testament to trust and teamwork. After meeting in university two decades ago, they devised a system using a two-way radio for communication. Jesse climbs while Molly belays and provides crucial guidance on gear placement and route details.

“We’ve climbed over 2,000 routes together,” Jesse shared. Their synergy allows them to focus entirely on the task at hand, leaving no room for distractions or arguments.

For Molly, climbing with Jesse is inspiring. “Some of the stuff he gets up … it’s just insane,” she said. Watching him succeed often brings her more joy than her own climbs.

Challenges and Limitations

While their system is effective, it has limitations. On some pitches, Molly’s line of sight is blocked by corners or overhangs, leaving Jesse to rely solely on his instincts and tactile feedback.

“In climbing, you’re literally putting your life in your partner’s hands,” Jesse said. The couple’s trust, honed over years of shared climbs and life experiences, is unshakable.

Reaching New Heights

Jesse Dufton’s story is a reminder that limitations are often mental barriers waiting to be broken. His determination, endurance, and trust in Molly have allowed him to achieve feats that inspire climbers and non-climbers alike. For Jesse, every climb is a way of saying, “Fate doesn’t decide my life—I do.”

As Molly puts it, “It isn’t a drain on either of us because we’re both passionate about it. Watching him succeed is just as fulfilling as climbing myself.”

Together, Jesse and Molly exemplify the strength of partnership, the power of persistence, and the ability to redefine what’s possible.

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