Lopsang Sherpa, two others killed on Everest

Another Sherpa and a client also reportedly died in the avalanche, said Todd Burleson, president of Alpine Ascents International. His Woodinville, Washington-based guide company received news of the fatal accident from his climbing guide, Bill Crouse, who is leading an expedition on Pumori, a nearby peak.

News of the accident filtered out of the Himalaya in recent days, but was only confirmed today. Additional details, such as the other climbers' identities and when the accident happened, are not yet available.

Lopsang, 23, had summited Everest four times, without supplemental oxygen, before this most recent expedition. In May, he was one of the guides leading clients to the summit of Everest when a freak storm hit the peak. Eight climbers died in that storm, considered the worst disaster in the mountain's history.

Among those who died was Scott Fisher, a world-renowned guide and a leader of one of the expeditions.

For Lopsang's family, this latest accident compounds their grief from earlier this year. The guide's uncle, Nawang Sherpa, was stricken with both cerebral and pulmonary edema and had to be evacuated out of Everest base camp. He remains incapacitated.

-- Compiled by Outside Online staff