Golden Radiologist Reaches Mount Everest's Peak: Report

GOLDEN, CO — A 38-year-old man from Golden reached the summit of Mount Everest last month, The Colorado Sun reported. He reached the peak a day after four climbers died on the mountain.

Peter Lowry, a cardiologist, passed the bodies of two people who had died in the previous 24 hours, according to the report, which said it "cast a shadow" on his accomplishment.

Boulder attorney Chris Kulish, an experienced climber, died late last month shortly after reaching the peak of Mount Everest. Nepalese officials said Kulish died suddenly at South Col, an area between Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse where the final camp for climbers is set up. His friends said he was an experienced climber who earned the coveted title of "Seven Summiteer" — someone who has climbed the highest mountain on every continent.

Another American, Donald Cash, 55, died in late May during his descent.

Over the past several weeks, 11 climbers have died on Mount Everest. It's no secret that the climb is extremely dangerous — the thin air impacts a mountaineer's heart, brain and lungs in countless different deadly ways, according to doctors who've worked on the mountain.

Many mountaineers have complained of overcrowding; however it's not known how much the heavy traffic has contributed to the recent deaths.

About 5,000 people have reached the Everest summit so far, and several hundred have died trying.

Read the full Colorado Sun report here.

Related:

• Crowding May 'Have Nothing To Do With' Everest Deaths: Report
• Boulder Attorney Dies On Mount Everest After Reaching Summit