11 DEATHS IN 9 DAYS: The Nightmare Photos from Everest’s Most Tragic Climbing Season

Spring 2019: Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth at 29,032 feet, became a graveyard in the clouds. In just nine days, 11 climbers perished on its icy slopes—making it the deadliest, most haunting climbing season in Everest’s history (New York Times, May 26, 2019). The cause? Not avalanches, not storms, but a human traffic jam in the “death zone,” captured in viral nightmare photos that shocked the world (ABC News, May 29, 2019).

The Deadly Bottleneck: A Perfect Storm of Greed, Inexperience, and Fate

Nepal issued a record 381 permits—each costing up to $100,000—enticing hundreds of adventure seekers, many with little mountaineering experience (ABC News). The result: a single-file queue of climbers snaking up the Hillary Step and summit ridge, waiting hours in -30°F, low-oxygen conditions. The window for summiting shrank to just a few days in late May, forcing everyone to climb at once (The Guardian).

The “death zone” above 26,000 feet is where the body literally begins to die. Climbers, exhausted and suffering from altitude sickness, frostbite, and hypoxia, were forced to wait 2-3 hours for their turn on the summit. Indian climber Anjali Kulkarni (55) collapsed from exhaustion. American Christopher Kulish (62) died of a heart attack after reaching the top (CBS News, June 20, 2019). Social media posts from the time summed up the chaos: “Everest looks like a theme park line—deadly!” (@MountaineerLife, May 23, 2019).

The tragedy exposed the flaws in Nepal’s permit system and the commercialization of Everest—transforming a sacred peak into a perilous, overcrowded tourist attraction (Vietnam Magazine, July 23, 2025).

The Viral Photos: Horror Goes Global

The most iconic images of 2019 came from Nirmal Purja, who snapped a photo of over 200 climbers lined up on the ridge, faces masked against blizzards, bodies frozen in place. Some photos showed blood stains and lifeless figures—reminders of the mountain’s toll. Unlike the infamous 1996 disaster immortalized in Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, most 2019 deaths were preventable; they were caused by delays, not weather (The Guardian).

The photos ignited a firestorm online. Hashtags like #EverestTrafficJam and #EverestDisaster trended worldwide. “This isn’t climbing; it’s suicide tourism!” (@AdventureSeekers, May 24, 2019). Facebook groups like “Mountaineering Stories” filled with survivor accounts and debates: “Those lines killed people—Everest’s lost its soul.” The images forced the world to confront Everest’s commercialization and the ethics of adventure.

Survivors Speak: “It Was a Zoo. We Couldn’t Save Them.”

Nirmal Purja, who summited without supplemental oxygen, described the scene as a “zoo.” Irish climber Noel Hanna recalled passing dying climbers, unable to help because his own oxygen was running low. Indian survivor Nihal Bagwan called it a “death trap,” blaming the flood of permits (New York Times). Many survivors returned home with PTSD, haunted by the faces they couldn’t save (Vietnam Magazine).

The disaster prompted new rules: Nepal raised permit fees, required medical certificates, and limited team sizes (Outside Online). Yet, even in 2023, Everest saw 18 more deaths—proof that the lessons are still being learned (The Guardian, June 6, 2020).

Social Media: Outrage, Memes, and Calls for Change

Social media amplified the horror. X (formerly Twitter) trended with #EverestDisaster and posts like “This queue is deadly—stop the permits!” (@GlobalAdventurers, May 23, 2019). Memes mocked the traffic jam: “Everest: Where lines kill!” (@OutdoorMemes, May 24, 2019). Facebook debates raged: “Is Everest worth the risk?” (@ClimbTalk, July 24, 2025). Survivor stories under #SaveEverest reached millions (@TheSummitHub, July 23, 2025).

Like the “Napalm Girl” photo in Vietnam, Everest’s viral images humanized tragedy, sparking global debate on the ethics and future of extreme adventure.

History Repeats: Everest’s Dark Legacy

Everest’s 2019 disaster echoes past tragedies—like the 15 deaths in the 1996 blizzard (Outside Online) and K2’s 2008 disaster (YouTube, May 20, 2025). But the difference now is commercialization: in 2019, 381 permits were issued, compared to just 100 in 1996. The mountain has become a business, not just a dream (New York Times).

Reforms followed, but the risks persist. The viral photos of 2019 changed how the world sees Everest—no longer just a symbol of human triumph, but also a warning of hubris and greed.

Conclusion: Everest’s Nightmare Season—Lessons for the Future

The 2019 Everest season, with 11 deaths in nine days and viral photos of climbers trapped in the death zone, stands as the mountain’s most tragic chapter (New York Times, May 26, 2019). Survivor accounts and haunting images continue to echo across social media and mountaineering circles, forcing climbers, guides, and regulators to rethink safety, ethics, and the meaning of adventure (Outside Online).

For adventure fans and history buffs, the story of Everest’s nightmare season is a chilling reminder: nature is unforgiving, and the summit is never worth more than a life. As climbing seasons evolve, the lessons of 2019 endure—urging us to respect the mountain, honor those lost, and always choose safety over glory.

Did these nightmare photos and stories change how you see Everest? Share your thoughts below and let us know where you’re reading from. Don’t forget to follow for more gripping stories of adventure, tragedy, and hope from around the world.