A Nepali Sherpa climber died while carrying equipment uphill for foreign mountaineers from the base camp to Camp 2 of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, early on Thursday morning.  

Nima Tenji Sherpa, 38,  a seasoned climber who had scaled Mount Everest several times, breathed his last in the treacherous icefall section at around 4:00am, according to a report in Nepal’s Himalayan Times. He was found in a sitting position with his load still on his back. 

Tenji was part of the expedition run by US-based company International Mountain Guides. At least 11 high altitude workers from IMG were carrying loads when the incident occurred.

"His body has been brought down. There were no accidents, and initial medical check suggests high-altitude sickness," said Pasang Tsering Sherpa of Beyul Adventures, the local partner International Mountain Guides.

Sherpa was carrying equipment uphill to Camp 2 and was found in a sitting position, still wearing his backpack.

"The events today have been a big shock to everyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ngima's family," IMG's expedition leader Greg Vernovage posted on the company's website.

This is the first fatality of the climbing season and normally one-third of the deaths related to mountaineering expeditions are those of sherpas who carry loads for visiting foreign  climbers. 

More than 250 foreign climbers along with their support staff will be attempting to climb the world's highest peak this season. Icefall doctors have already opened a route from the base camp to Camp 2.

Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee has recommended operators, climbers and high altitude mountain workers strictly exercise the following safety precautions: have only one climber on any ladder at any given time, lighten and limit loads carried by individual high altitude mountain workers so as not to overload the ladders and strictly adhere to safety measures such as clipping harnesses to safety ropes while on ladders.