on Friday. A beloved schoolteacher and seasoned adventurer, Ghosh hailed from Ranaghat in Nadia district and was respected for both his academic dedication and mountaineering expertise. His family confirmed the heartbreaking news, still in disbelief over the sudden loss.Subrata Ghosh, along with fellow climber Rumpa Das, both originating from Bengal, set off from Nepal’s base camp last Wednesday to begin their Everest summit attempt. However, due to rapidly worsening weather and an unstable atmosphere, they had to delay their push to the peak until Thursday afternoon. Battling depleting oxygen and extreme conditions, Rumpa managed to safely descend to Camp IV. But Ghosh, unfortunately, could not make it back. According to initial reports, he collapsed while descending past a notorious section of Everest known as the Hillary Step.

“We were informed by contacts in Nepal that my elder brother died while coming down from Everest, near the Hillary Step,” said Subrata’s grieving brother, Surajit Ghosh. “He had reached the summit earlier that afternoon, and everything seemed fine. We don’t yet know the full details, and are waiting for a proper explanation from his Sherpa guide.” The Hillary Step, a 40-foot vertical rock wall at nearly 8,800 meters above sea level, is one of the most treacherous points near the summit.

Surajit further explained that around 2 PM on Thursday, Subrata successfully reached the peak with his Sherpa. However, during the descent, he began to show extreme fatigue and resisted moving away from the Hillary Step. The Sherpa, reportedly also unwell, had to return to Camp IV alone, leaving Subrata behind.The tragic news sent shockwaves through Subrata's family and hometown. His cousin, Sumitra Debnath, who had accompanied him to the base camp, stayed behind due to logistical constraints. Meanwhile, their aged parents are inconsolable, surrounded by relatives, friends, and locals offering condolences. “Our home has been full of people since the news broke,” Surajit added. “We are now focused on bringing his body back.”Subrata was not only an educator at Bagda Kapasati Milanbithi High School but also a proud member of the Lions Club in Ranaghat West. His passion for mountaineering dated back to his childhood. “He was well-trained and had completed several difficult expeditions in the past,” said his relative Pratap Saha. “When I first heard the news, I couldn’t believe it… He lived and breathed mountains.”In his adventurous career, Ghosh had scaled no fewer than 13 major peaks across different parts of the world, as confirmed by his brother.Subrata Ghosh’s life is a testimony to courage, resilience, and a lifelong devotion to chasing the sky. His journey may have ended in the death zone of Everest, but his spirit continues to inspire many who dare to dream beyond the clouds.