Traffic jam at the Hillary Step, first speed ascent with Xenon and fewer deaths overall: At the end of the spring season on Mount Everest, we take stock – with the help of the latest figures from the Himalayan Database.
722 people successfully completed the Mount Everest According to figures from the Nepal Tourism Authority and various media reports, 272 foreign visitors and nine Nepalese climbers have climbed the highest of the 14 eight-thousanders so far this year, accompanied by a total of 434 guides and seven rope fixers.
This means there were slightly fewer summits in 2025 than in the previous year. In 2024, 861 people climbed the 8.849-meter-high roof of the world. Despite occasional fluctuations, the number of Everest visitors has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years – the record year was 2019 with 877 successful ascents. Most ascents take place on the Nepalese side, and significantly fewer expeditions started from Tibet this year.
Fewer deaths than in previous years
In 2025, there were fewer deaths overall on Mount Everest than in the previous years, 2024 and 2023. During the peak season from April to May this year, five people died. A Filipino climber died at Camp 4, and an Indian alpinist died while descending Hillary Step. One Sherpa died of a heart attack at Camp 1, and two other Sherpas died at Base Camp.
The year 2023 is considered the year with a total of 18 deaths deadliest Everest season to dateLast year, nine people died on Mount Everest.
Experts blame the more stable weather this year for the relatively low death toll. Avalanches, icefalls or extreme weather have the greatest impact on the number of fatal accidents – and often to an unpredictable extent.
The increasing number of helicopter rescues from the 7.300-meter-high Camp 3 is also contributing to media reports contributed to fewer deaths on Mount Everest in 2025. At the same time, flights at this altitude involve enormous risks for rescue teams and must be approved by the Nepalese government.
Traffic jam at Hillary Step: heavy rush expected in 2025
In addition to the danger of avalanches and the extreme stress at altitude, increasing Everest tourism also presents visitors with new risks. Particularly at Hillary Step, a narrow and exposed passage near the summit, dangerous traffic jams repeatedly occur during peak season.
If the weather changes or mountaineers experience health problems at this altitude, every minute counts. The video shows such a rush of Everest aspirants during the "peak" season in late May.
New Everest fee from September
The spring and main season at Mount Everest was the last to be unaffected by the Nepalese government's planned fee. Starting in September 2025, visitors will pay between $11.000 and $15.000 for an Everest permit—in addition to the five-figure costs of such an expedition. How this will affect visitor numbers is currently unclear.
First speed ascent with Xenon
At the same time, the 2025 spring season showed a potentially new high-alpine tourism trend: In May, a British team reached the summit of the highest peak in the Alps for the first time with the help of Xenon reached the summit after only five days and saved himself the time of acclimatization on the mountain.
In a new speed record, the four-person expedition managed a round trip from London to Mount Everest and back again – in 6 days and 13 hours. The British started from the airport in Nepal directly to the summit and, like most other alpinists, used artificial oxygen.
The agency behind it plans to offer Xenon Tours on a large scale in the future. The cost: approximately 104.000 euros.
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Credits cover photo: Pixabay