Latest news with #SubrataGhosh
News18
04-06-2025
- Health
- News18
Bengal Climber's Body Still On Everest, Here's How Much It Might Cost To Retrieve It
Last Updated: Even if Sherpas reach the body, retrieval is tough—especially if it's in a hard-to-access spot or at an altitude too high for helicopters to operate safely The body of Indian mountaineer Subrata Ghosh, who died in May while descending Mount Everest, remains stranded just below the perilous Hillary Step. The extreme altitude, treacherous terrain, and narrow icy paths of the 'Death Zone' make the recovery mission incredibly complex—and expensive. Experts estimate it may take over Rs 1.5 crore and a team of highly skilled Sherpas to retrieve his frozen body from the world's highest peak. Mountaineer Subrata Ghosh died just below the Hillary Step, a perilous section near the 8,848.86-metre (29,032-foot) summit of Mount Everest. The Hillary Step lies in what is known as the 'Death Zone'—an area above 8,000 metres where oxygen levels are dangerously low. This stretch is especially risky for climbers both on their way to the summit and during their descent. According to the Himalayan Times, Subrata Ghosh reached the summit on the afternoon of May 10. Bodhraj Bhandari, Managing Director of Snowy Horizon Treks, which organised the expedition, said, 'Subrata Ghosh reached the summit around 2 pm, but while descending, he began showing signs of exhaustion and altitude sickness. Eventually, he refused to continue the descent." His Sherpa guide, Champal Tamang, tried to persuade him to move, but was unsuccessful. Tamang returned alone to Camp IV late on May 15 and reported the incident early on May 16. Efforts On To Retrieve His Body Efforts are underway to recover the body of Subrata Ghosh and bring it back to the base camp. The exact cause of death will be known after the post-mortem. This is the second death on the world's highest peak in this mountaineering season. Another climber, 45-year-old Philip Santiago of the Philippines, died in a high-altitude camp (South Col) just below the summit. It is believed that Santiago became exhausted while reaching Camp IV on May 14. He died while resting in his tent. Both Subrata Ghosh and Philip Santiago were part of an international expedition organized by Snowy Horizon Treks. Subrata Ghosh's death certificate has been issued, but his body remains frozen on the world's highest peak. Recovering the body of a climber from high altitudes like Everest and Kanchenjunga is a very challenging task. That is why these peaks are often referred to as the 'world's highest cemetery." Why Is It Difficult To Bring Down The body? The first hurdle in bringing down Subrata Ghosh's body is the huge expense involved. According to an Indian Express report, Debdas Nandi, advisor to the West Bengal Mountaineering and Adventure Sports Foundation under the state's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, said, 'Bringing back bodies from heights is a huge task. It is very expensive." He said that the expenses incurred on this include wages of Sherpas, insurance, medical, logistics support and helicopter fare. Debdas Nandi said that very few companies are able to carry out such missions, which further increases the cost. He said that out of more than 100 expedition organizers, only two or three are experts in retrieving bodies. The cost in Subrata Ghosh's case could be more than Rs 1 crore. Recovery Mission Estimated At Rs 1.5 Crore One of the organisers has estimated a budget of Rs 1.5 crore for the body retrieval, said Debashish Biswas, a fellow climber of Subrata Ghosh. Eight to ten skilled Sherpas will be needed for the mission. The cost of hiring them alone could exceed Rs 50 lakh, Biswas added. Most people who die on Everest fall in the 'death zone', located at an altitude of over 8,000 metres. This area is riddled with crevasses hidden under snow and ice. Even if a team of Sherpas reaches the body, retrieving it can be extremely difficult—especially if it lies in a hard-to-reach location or at an altitude where helicopters cannot operate, or where there's a constant risk of avalanches and falling ice. Debdas Nandi said, 'There are some places from where carrying the body is extremely challenging. At these places, the rocks are almost vertical. The body has to be slowly lowered using ropes. The weight of a frozen body can exceed 90 kg with equipment. If it is stuck on the mountain, then lifting it and bringing it down presents an additional challenge." He added that the task of bringing the body down or transporting it to a lower altitude can be safely done by helicopter, but the process can take several days. 'Helicopters can go up to Camp 2 on Everest, which is located at an altitude of 6,750 meters (22,145 feet). Only Sherpas can go higher than this," Nandi explained. Subrata Ghosh's case is especially difficult because the climbing season (March-May, when the weather is relatively stable) ended on May 29. Since then, no rescue support is available. Debdas Nandi, who was among over 100 climbers to reach the summit, said, 'Subrata Ghosh's body is lying at a very dangerous spot, about 500–600 metres below the Everest peak. The place is so narrow that two people cannot pass together. Even if the family contacts the government, the retrieval can only be attempted later — it's not possible in this season." Despite the high cost and enormous challenges, the bodies of many climbers have been brought down in the past. This season, Nepal's tourism department had issued 459 permits for Everest expeditions, of which over 100 climbers and guides successfully reached the summit. First Published:
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Training , monies and more: What it takes to summit the Everest
The Mt Everest summit has been the ultimate goal of every mountaineer for ages now. The gruelling climb has claimed many lives – including that of 45-year-old Bengal climber Subrata Ghosh, who succumbed to altitude sickness and exhaustion after making it to the summit on May 15. But that hasn't deterred others. In fact, according to a report in The Rising Nepal , which cites records from Nepal's department of tourism, 402 climbers from 53 countries – including 74 women – have received climbing permits for this spring. Here's what mountaineers had to say about it. 'The best training is to be in the mountains' Climbing to the Everest summit pushes ones body and mind to the limit, so the right preparation is sacrosanct. Satyarup Siddhanta, 42, prepared for the climb with cardio, cycling, yoga, swimming, and strength training. 'With oxygen levels at a third of sea level and temperatures potentially fatal, it's the mind that gets you through crevasses, exhaustion, and biting cold,' he says. Saanchi, who attempted the summit at 19, agrees. 'High-altitude conditioning matters more than gym routines. The best training is being in the mountains; acclimatisation is everything.' For Pratima Rai, 21, an NCC cadet from Darjeeling and the first from Bengal to summit the peak, training was an initiation into the harsh realities of mountaineering – glacier climbs, rock and ice techniques, and surviving at 40 degrees berlow zero. 'It was brutal, but necessary,' she says. 'Trusting your sherpa is a must' Climbing Everest can be life-changing, but not always in the ways climbers imagine. Rumpa Das knows this all too well. Her 2020 expedition was cancelled due to the pandemic, and in 2021, she went down with COVID during another attempt, requiring evacuation from Camp 2 with dangerously low oxygen levels. But she refused to let go of the dream. Despite ongoing funding hurdles – especially in Bengal – she kept looking for opportunities. 'This time, I kept asking my Sherpa if I could do it. My trainer always said, 'Trust your Sherpa'. And I did. On May 15 at 10.50am, I stood on the summit, exhausted and uncertain, but carried, step by step, by my Sherpa.' Satyarup's 2015 expedition was halted by the Nepal earthquake and their funds depleted. When he finally resumed, he faced a series of critical incidents: his oxygen mask failed, another team used their oxygen without consent at Camp 4, and he survived a 30-minute fall into a crevasse. Even his summit photo was allegedly misused by another climber. Saanchi didn't reach the summit, but gained perspective. 'Like Olympians who train for years without medals, the journey shaped me.' She has since summited Europe's highest peak, scaled Australia's top 10 in 50 hours, and completed 6,000-metre climbs in Ladakh and Spiti. Pratima's story included a brush with death. 'I saw a man collapse and die in front of me. It was terrifying. But I stayed calm. We anticipated crowding, so we started the summit push early, around 6.30-7pm, and reached the top by 3am on May 18. It was pitch dark, and I was alone with my Sherpa, but I knew I had made it.' 'Behind every summit is a team that believes in you' Behind every summit lies a strong support network. Families dip into savings, friends raise funds, and communities rally. Rumpa's journey was tough. 'All my money went into climbing. Sponsorships are rare in Bengal. My mother told me, 'Money comes and goes, but your strength won't last forever.' My husband even mortgaged our house to support me.' Pratima credits her NCC team for training and encouragement, while Saanchi relied on mentors. What it takes to climb the Everest Climbing Everest is a complex logistical feat, relying on an extensive support network—from permits to oxygen cylinders. Satyarup explains, 'Each season, 400–500 climbers rely on expedition companies that handle permits take care of the expedition.' Though Pratima's NCC-backed expedition provided institutional support, the pressure remained intense. 'We built in extra days to manage weather and risks. Only the fittest continued. ' Key aspects include: Permit cost: $15,000 per climber, plus government and expedition fees Total expense: ₹40–45 lakh (gear, logistics, Sherpa fees) Training: Cardio, strength, high-altitude conditioning, mountaineering courses Support: Sherpas, medical staff, rope-fixing teams, and SPCC waste management Risks: Oxygen failure, altitude sickness, crevasses, severe weather, overcrowding 'Everest is a mountaineer's dream' Even with technically tougher peaks out there, Everest remains the ultimate symbol of aspiration. 'It's still the dream,' says Pawel Sharma, chief instructor at a mountaineering institute. 'For many, it's not just about passion—it's about career and credibility. When institutes ask, 'How many peaks have you climbed?' Everest always tops the list. Today, people aren't just chasing a bucket-list tick—they want to live what they've seen on screen. ' That dream, however, comes with its share of harsh realities. Rumpa Das understood them deeply. 'Mountaineering isn't for everyone—the mountains don't accept everyone,' she says. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Bengal mountaineer lies dead on Everest: why is it so difficult to retrieve a fallen climber's body?
A 45-year-old mountaineer from Ranaghat, West Bengal, died while descending from Mount Everest last month. The body of Subrata Ghosh, which was spotted on Hillary Step in the so-called 'death zone' of Everest on May 16, continues to lie frozen on the world's highest peak, even as a death certificate has been issued. Here's what experts say on the challenges of retrieving a body from high peaks such as Everest and Kanchenjunga, sometimes referred to ominously as the 'world's highest graveyards'. Why is it so difficult to bring down the body of a mountaineer from a peak such as Everest? The first hurdle is the costs involved. 'Altitude body recovery is a huge task; it is exorbitantly costly,' Debdas Nandi, Adviser to the West Bengal Mountaineering and Adventure Sports Foundation (WBMASF), under the state's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, said. Costs include the remuneration for sherpas, insurance, medical and logistics support, and the rent for a helicopter. Very few companies are capable of undertaking such missions, which drives up costs further, Nandi said. No more than 2 or 3 out of more than 100 expedition organizers specialize in the retrieval of bodies, and the cost in Ghosh's case could exceed Rs 1 crore, he said. Debasish Biswas, a mountaineer who knew Ghosh, said one of the organizers had apparently estimated a budget of Rs 1.5 crore to retrieve the body. Eight or ten good sherpas would be required, and the cost of employing them alone could exceed Rs 50 lakh, Biswas said. Most victims of Everest fall in the 'death zone' at altitudes above 8,000 metres, often in crevasses covered by snow and ice. Once the team of sherpas reaches the body, moving it can be extremely difficult, especially if it is in a tough-to-reach spot or at an altitude where a helicopter cannot operate, or where there is a danger of avalanches or rockfalls. 'There are places through which transporting a body is extremely challenging. Some rock faces are nearly vertical, and the body must be gently lowered using a rope as the sherpas themselves make their way down,' Nandi said. A frozen body can weigh more than 200 pounds (90 kg) with equipment, and if it is embedded in the mountain, prising it away and bringing it down presents an additional challenge. The task of lowering or carrying the body down to a lower altitude from where it can be safely transported by helicopter, can take several days, with a number of rest stops. 'A helicopter can go up to Camp 2 on Everest, which is located at an altitude of 6,750 metres (22,145 feet),' Nandi said. 'At altitudes higher than that, only sherpas can operate.' Subrata Ghosh's case presents a specific challenge because the spring climbing season (March-May, when the weather is stable) is now over. 'The season closed on May 29, so there is no logistics support available,' Nandi said. 'Subrata Ghosh's body is lying 500-600 metres below the peak, at a very dangerous place. It is so narrow that two people cannot pass together. Even if the family approaches the government, it can only be done later, not in this season,' he said. What sort of preparation goes into attempting a retrieval? Retrieval, if and when feasible, has to be planned and executed meticulously. The first step is to identify and report a missing or deceased climber to the relevant authorities, such as the Nepalese government or expedition organisers. Next, a thorough feasibility assessment has to be conducted, considering the body's location, weather conditions, and the availability of skilled personnel and resources. A detailed retrieval plan is then formulated, outlining the route, necessary equipment, and manpower. Coordination between government agencies, climbing teams, and rescue organizations is of paramount importance. Climbers and rescuers may have to undergo acclimatization and specialized training for high-altitude operations, mastering the use of ropes, ladders, harnesses, and other equipment. Once the body is reached, it must be examined, documented, and prepared for extraction, sometimes using stretchers or sleds. What are the odds of success of a mission to retrieve a body from a mountain peak? Despite immense challenges, successful retrievals have occurred in the past. These include the bodies of Dipankar Ghosh, who climbed Everest in 2011, and died while descending from Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world, in May 2019; Rajib Bhattacharya, who died on Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest peak, in May 2016; Biplab Baidya and Kuntal Karar, who died on Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain, in May 2019; and Paresh Nath, who died on Everest in May 2016. Bodies of several of the more than 40 dead in the 2014 Annapurna disaster were retrieved as well. However, many bodies could not be retrieved, including that of Chhanda Gayen, the first Bengali civilian woman to conquer Everest, who died on Kanchenjunga in May 2014. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
Gulf Today
17-05-2025
- Gulf Today
Indian climber dies after scaling Mount Everest
An Indian man died after scaling Mount Everest, his expedition organiser said on Friday, becoming the second fatality of this year's climbing season on the world's highest mountain. Subrata Ghosh, 45, reached the top of the 8,849-metre (29,000 feet) peak on Thursday but died about 50 metres below the summit while descending. "It seems he was exhausted and was showing signs of altitude sickness. We are waiting for his guide to return for more details," said Bodha Raj Bhandari, of Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition. Ghosh was from West Bengal state, which adjoins Bangladesh. Areas above 8,000 metres are known as the "death zone" because thin air and low oxygen levels heighten the risk of altitude sickness. A Filipino climber of the same team died Wednesday on his way to the summit. More than 50 climbers have reached the summit since the route opened last week, taking advantage of a brief spell of good weather. Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of climbers each spring, when temperatures are warmer and winds typically calmer. Last year more than 800 climbers made it to the peak of Everest, including 74 from the northern Tibet side. Eight people died, including climbers from Nepal, Mongolia, Kenya, the UK and India. Agence France-Presse
Arab Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Expedition organizers say 2 climbers have died on Mount Everest
KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 17, (AP): An Indian and a Filipino climber have died while climbing Mount Everest as hundreds of climbers are attempting to scale the world's highest peak, expedition organizers said Friday. The Indian climber, identified as Subrata Ghosh, died on Thursday just below the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit of the peak while he was returning from the top. The other climber, identified as Philipp Santiago, 45, from the Philippines, died Wednesday while he was headed to the summit. He had reached Camp 4, which is the highest camp on the mountain, and was preparing for the final bid to reach the summit. Bodha Raj Bhandari of the Nepal-based Snowy Horizon Trek and Expedition, which equipped and organized the expedition, said the bodies were still on the mountain and it was yet to be decided if and when they would be brought down. Retrieving bodies is both expensive and difficult as it takes many people to drag them down the icy slopes of the mountain. The spring climbing season began in March and ends at the end of May. May is the best month to climb the peak and climbers get only a few opportunities when the weather conditions improve, allowing just time for them to try attempt scale the peak. Everest was first climbed in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. More than 300 people have died on Everest since then.
