A 57-year-old German mountaineer died after falling approximately 1,500 metres from Nepal’s Ama Dablam mountain, just one day after successfully reaching its summit.
The climber, identified as Wolfgang Waschiczek, disappeared on Monday, October 26, 2026, while preparing to descend the Himalayan peak.
According to trekking officials, Waschiczek had reached the mountain’s 6,812-metre summit on Sunday before spending the night at Camp 3.
German Climber Goes Missing From Mountain Camp
Gokul Thapa, head of trekking company Real Himalaya, confirmed that the mountaineer was resting at Camp 3, approximately 6,200 metres above sea level.
His guide, Sonam Lama, briefly left the tent to return borrowed climbing equipment.
Before leaving, Lama reportedly instructed Waschiczek to remain inside.
However, the German climber had disappeared when his guide returned.
A search operation was launched immediately.
Another mountain guide discovered Waschiczek’s body near Camp 2 at approximately 8am Monday. The location was around 4,600 metres above sea level.
Helicopter Recovers Body From Ama Dablam
Rescue personnel recovered the body by helicopter and transported it to Lukla before transferring it to Kathmandu.
Authorities arranged a postmortem examination at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
The body will subsequently be handed over to the family through diplomatic channels.
Thapa confirmed that Waschiczek had previously visited Nepal in 2024.
Ama Dablam, located in Nepal’s Khumbu region, is known for its steep slopes and technically demanding climbing routes.
More than 300 mountaineers are attempting the peak during the current autumn season.
The accident marks Ama Dablam’s first reported climbing fatality of 2026, highlighting the serious risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering.
