What are the hazards that are likely to occur while climbing Everest? Some of them are high altitude, altitude sickness, AMS, HACE, HAPE, extreme weather and climate conditions, avalanches, and frostbite. It is essential to go through disciplined and strict preparations for a successful climb. Otherwise, the consequences will be costly. Preparing for altitude sickness, weather conditions, and physicality, gear, and equipment are essential before climbing Mount Everest. Another must-prepare aspect is hiring professional guides and porters.
Embarking on a solo peak climbing campaign is so dangerous that it can cost the lives of mountaineers. The Nepal Government has made it mandatory to hire a professional guide to climb or trek to any destination within Nepal. However, Szilárd Suhajda made a mistake by climbing Everest all alone. It cost his budget and his life as he has been reportedly considered dead after going missing for days now.
What happened to him? And how did he go missing from the Hillary Step? Let’s find out the real story behind Szilárd Suhajda’s disappearance from Everest here!
Szilárd Suhajda: Another Solo Climber Goes Missing From Hillary Step in Everest
Szilárd Suhajda went missing on May 24 from the Hillary Step on Everest. He became the third climber to go missing from the mighty peak with an elevation of 8,849 meters above sea level. The local reports claimed that Szilárd was determined to set a record by climbing Everest without Oxygen supplements and Sherpa’s support. The General Manager at Seven Summit Treks, Thaneswor Guragain, mentioned that he was alone and the last contact location was the Hillary Step. However, after that, he has been contactless, and it’s unknown what happened to him – hence, he is considered dead as he has not returned from the peak even after such long days.
According to Guragain, they had Szilárd Suhajda’s GPS location around 8,700 meters above sea level. After that, no signals have been received yet.
The Seven Summit Treks release a statement regarding the death of Szilárd Suhajda. In the statement, they wrote that Szilárd always wanted to go for alpine-style climbing. He had previously scaled other famous peaks like Lhotse, K2, and Broadpeak. So when he came to scale Mount Everest, ‘He only asked us for the base camp support this time,’ Guragain mentioned. However, with no support, he is now missing and reportedly considered dead.
Besides, there is no information regarding what happened to Szilárd Suhajda. Since he has not come into contact or sight of the expedition managers, details about whether he felt unconscious or fell to the crevasse remain under the radar. However, the search parties have been launched to find him. The extreme weather conditions had delayed the aerial search party initially.
Elia Saikaly was the last person to see Szilárd climbing Everest. He mentioned that he saw him at around 4:00 P.M. and was shocked that he had still not reached the South Summit. He mentioned that Szilárd was climbing very slowly, possibly due to physical complications. But how he moved up was so risky, especially in extreme climates and weather.
In addition, he mentioned that he last saw Szilárd when he was only 20 meters below the South Summit. He was still standing and walking uphill through the icy sheets. It is said that Sherpas found his belongings at 6500 meters above sea level. And they were shocked to find why the Hungarian climber left his belongings at such altitude.
In 2023, more than 478 Everest Climbing Permits were issued. Mountaineers from around 65 countries bought the permit, of which more than fifteen mountaineers have met a tragic death. This is the highest rate of climbing permit issues in a single year for Everest. Similarly, the death record is also the highest in one single season.
Though all expeditions were conducted in Spring Season, considered the peak season for expeditions, many climbers lost their lives. However, changing weather conditions, snowfalls, and avalanches played foul risking the lives of mountaineers who attempted to scale Mount Everest this year.
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