Johannesen's body brought to Kathmandu from Makalu; guide, expedition leader stable
By
Tourism Times
Published at : 11 May 2026, 6:35 PM
KATHMANDU: The body of American climber Shelley Johannesen, who died in an avalanche on Mt. Makalu during her descent on Sunday, has been recovered and brought to Kathmandu for post-mortem, officials said.
According to Navin Trital, Managing Director at ExpeditionHimalaya.com, six Sherpa climbers brought Johannesen's body down from 7,200 metres to Camp II, from where an Altitude Air helicopter airlifted it to Kathmandu on Monday afternoon.
Johannesen, 53, from Oregon, USA, had successfully summited Makalu (8,485m) at 10:30 am on May 9 alongside expedition leader David Ashley and Sherpas Tawa Sherpa and Phurba Sonam Sherpa. She was struck by a small avalanche at around 7,200 metres during the descent. Her climbing guide Tawa Sherpa was injured in the same incident.
Both Ashley, who also felt unwell during the descent, and Tawa Sherpa have since been airlifted to Kathmandu and are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals in the capital. Their condition is stable, officials said.
Johannesen and Ashley co-run Dash Adventures in the United States. Johannesen had previously attempted Mt. Everest last spring but turned back above the South Col.
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