A 45-year-old Filipino mountaineer died while attempting to reach the summit of Mount Everest, according to reports from Nepalese authorities and local media. The tragic incident marks the first recorded death of a foreign climber on the mountain during the 2025 climbing season.
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The climber, identified as Philipp “PJ” Santiago II, passed away after reaching Camp 4, a staging area situated at approximately 26,000 feet (7,925 meters) above sea level. Camp 4 is considered the final base for climbers before making the perilous ascent to the summit, which stands at 29,031 feet (8,848.86 meters) — the highest point on Earth.
According to a report from The Himalayan Times, Santiago was part of the Mountaineering Association of Krishnanagar-Snowy Everest Expedition 2025, a group aiming to conquer Everest this season. He arrived in Nepal in April with his cousin and a member of his support team, Karl Santiago, as part of his preparation for the climb.
Bodhraj Bhandari, Managing Director of Snowy Horizon Treks, the expedition organizer, confirmed Santiago’s death. Bhandari stated that Santiago died at Camp 4 on May 14, as he was preparing for his final push toward the summit. He was last seen alive at the camp, and the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
“The cause of death has not yet been determined, and his body has not yet been retrieved from the mountain,” Bhandari said. The harsh conditions and high altitude make recovery efforts in that area especially difficult and dangerous.
Santiago’s death is a somber reminder of the extreme risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering. The Himalayan Database, which tracks climbing activities in the region, reports that 340 climbers have died on Everest between 1921 and September 2024. Santiago is the first foreign climber to die during the 2025 spring climbing season, which typically sees hundreds of adventurers from around the world attempt to summit the mountain during a narrow window of favorable weather.
Tributes have begun pouring in from fellow climbers and members of the mountaineering community in the Philippines, where Santiago was regarded as an experienced and passionate outdoorsman. Though not as widely known internationally, Santiago was respected in local circles for his commitment to mountaineering and was considered a role model for younger Filipino adventurers dreaming of scaling the world’s tallest peaks.
His family, currently coordinating with both Nepalese authorities and the Philippine Embassy in Kathmandu, has requested privacy as they await further updates on the recovery and repatriation of his remains.
Mount Everest, while a coveted goal for climbers worldwide, continues to be one of the most dangerous mountaineering challenges on the planet. With extreme weather conditions, thin air, and the physical and psychological toll of high-altitude climbing, even seasoned climbers face immense risks. Santiago’s death is a stark reminder of the mountain’s unforgiving nature — and the price that sometimes comes with the pursuit of greatness.