The enduring appeal of Mt Everest

Holy Mother: Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, and other peaks of the Himalayan range through an aircraft window during a mountain flight from Kathmandu, Nepal. — Reuters

Kathmandu: The death of a US climber on Mount Everest, the fourth fatality this season, has shone a spotlight on the dangers of scaling the world’s highest peak.

A record number of climbers – almost 1,000 including the Nepali guides who form the backbone of the industry – are expected to attempt the 8,849m ascent in the coming weeks.