Climbing season's underway ...

As the Super Sherpas prepare for their summit ascent, the 2007 climbing season has already seen its first death and its first successful summit attempt.

The 2007 season opened with tragedy, as a Sherpa died on the mountain April 26, when a block of ice apparently fell on his head, according to a report on www.everestnews.com. The report did not identify the Sherpa.

On a happier note, two climbers apparently reached the summit today. Vassily Pivtsov and Maxud Zumaev reported their successful attempt.
According to www.mounteverest.net, there are about 53 expeditions attempting to reach Everest's summit this year.