the family of chris kulish, the colorado attorney and father who died today, told us he saw his lastunrise from the highest peak on earth, and david, that he died doing what he loved. >> begnaud: pictures are incredible. how long is the climbing season? >> reporter: it wraps up the end of may which is good news, that means hopefully there will be no more of these tragedies. >> begnaud: thank you very much. we're learning more tonight about the california doctor who was killed by a shark in hawaii. thomas smiley, a retired optometrist was 65 years old. he was in to water-skiing scuba diving and race car driving. smiley was bitten saturday while swimming about 60 yards off maui. he lost his left leg and could not be saved. his family told us tonight he never feared sharks and was amazed by their strength. adding, "he dove and swam amid sharks for decades and loved every second of it." think about this. first responders are being hit and killed by people who are texting and driving. tonight as millions of americans head home on this memorial day kris van cleave has new research about di

fellow american ed dohring was on the same climb team as kulish and described a frenzy at the peak, a space he said was about the size of two ping-pong tables side-by-side. >> i several times was elbowed, pushed aside, shoved, by people who were just focused on getting their ideal picture or getting a banner out that they could take a picture of. it was scary, because if you lose your footing, potentially you're going to slide off the summit. >> reporter: kulish and the first american victim, utah native don cash, both died on their way down after successfully summiting, both were experienced climbers. that's not the case for everyone. >> too many inexperienced people are on the mountain. not only are we having more people climbing at the same time, but we have more and more people, i think, over the years, that are climbing without the experience they need. >> reporter: dohring describing climbing around a dead climber on his way to the summit. a record 381 permits have been issued to climb everest this year. and because of bad weather, over 200 people were forced to summit on one go

colorado resident chris kulish died monday.rican and 11th person to die this season on mt. everest. >> experts are blaming overcrowding for the growing death toll. hundreds of people are waiting in line to scale the world's highest mountain and that wait is dangerous, as we hear from clayton sandell. >> reporter: chris kulish watched his last sunrise from the top of the world. the 62-year-old attorney from boulder, colorado, suddenly died after heading down to camp. he is the second american and 11th person to die during a climbing season proving both deadly and crowded. >> we're going to try to get ourselves when there's not so many people. and the weather's good. >> reporter: with only a narrow window of good weather and narrower trails, log jammed climbers are forced to spend longer stretches in lethal so-called death zone conditions where oxygen tanks can give out. >> see camp two in the background. >> reporter: british climber robin fisher died saturday. days earlier he warned on instagram, with the single route to the sum

kulish is survived by his mother and younger siblings. there are growing concerns about overcrowding at everest. last week, crowds of climbers got stuck in a line to the summit. most people could only spend a matter of minutes at the summit without extra oxygen supplies. >> it has become a death race there because there was massive traffic jam, and people are pushing themselves. we're not even capable of doing it. they do it. they try to summit, and they, instead of summiting, they kill themselves. >> tourism officials in nepal suggest that the deaths are related to heavy traffic at the summit are quote base lest. >>> -- baseless. >>> a 12-year-old girl and 39-year-old man were killed in the city of kawasaki, 13 miles from tokyo. japanese broadcaster nhk reports a suspect later died from a self-inflicted wound. the stabbings took place during president trump's visit to japan. he says the american people grieve for the victims' families. >>> president trump wheels up from japan on his way back to the united states. he used a memorial day a

kulish's family says he passed away doing what he loved. he'd just finished his quest to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents when he collapsed from high altitude sickness. >> when you pay to climb everest, this is where it all begins. >> reporter: we journeyed toward the mountain to get a sense of the majesty that draws so many e air is thin.is,0 s level. i am struggling to breathe. but this is the mountain range on which everest sits. behind me gives you an idea of what we're talking about here. it is absolutely majestic. >> reporter: on everest climbers are forced to wait for windows of good weather. when it clears everyone moves to the summit. and with a large number of people, the longer wait means climbers are spending more time in what's called the death zone. that's above 26,000 feet. where the lack of oxygen can be lethal. >> we cannot spend that much time at this altitude. it's absolutely freezing, minus 30, minus 40. not a good time to be standing still. >> reporter: and this year the weather window to summit was even

kulish died at a camp below the summit during his descent. the cause of his death is unknown. eleanor net has summited everest four times and says a record number of climbers brings the risk of dangerous overclimbing. >> you're using up a limited amount of supplemental oxygen to help you survive. and secondly you're getting weaker by the minute. the crowds certainly are a t mouthre las week. most are believed to have suffered from altitude sickness. >>> the measles outbreak in the u.s. is getting worse. there are now a total of 940 confirmed cases this year. the cdc reported 60 new measles cases just last week across 26 states. it is the highest number since 1994, public health authorities have blamed the increase on the circulation of misinformation about vaccines. >>> a 13-year-old has died and 14 others hurt after a section of stage collapsed at a theater in eastern china. it happened during a dances competition for teenagers. dozens were performing on stage at the time. rescuers found a girl stuck underneath the collapsed stage after more than 20 minutes firefighters manag

chris kulish is the 11th climber to die on that slope this season. his family says he died doing what he loved. climbers have been warning about overcrowding. you can see it right there. a steady line of people heading towards the summit. here's abc's clayton sandell. >> reporter: chris kulish watched his last sunrise from the top of the world. but the 62-year-old attorney from boulder, colorado, suddenly died today after heading down to camp. he is the second american and the 11th person to die during a climbing season proving both deadly and crowded. >> we're going to try to get ourselves up there when there's not so many people and the weather is good. >> reporter: with only a narrow window of good weather, and even narrower trails, log-jammed climbers are forced to spend longer stretches in lethal so-called death zone conditions, where oxygen tanks can run out. >> you can see camp two in the background. >> reporter: british climber robin fisher died saturday. days earlier, he warned on instagram, "with a single route to the summit, delays caused

american chris kulish. bertenbach survived his climb last week. >> just you run out of oxygen, you can die within a couple of hours. >> reporter: oxygen is vital to surviving the death zone, any area above 26,000 feet. that risk combined with strong winds and a record number of climbers jam-packed on everest's peak this year have played a role in at least 11 deaths in just 12 days. alan arnett has climbed mount everest four times. >> you're using up a limited amount of supplemental oxygen you brought along to help you survive and secondly, you're just getting weaker by the minute. so in that respect the crowds certainly are a contributing factor to these deaths. >> reporter: anyone without any specific skill level can climb mount everest. as long as they pay $11,000 for the permit and get one. a record 381 permits were issued to climbers from the nepal side of the world's tallest mountain this season. human traffic jams forced this climber to turn around because he was lacking oxygen. >> it hasecth race the

and this is known as the versailles of westphalia north kulish and palace of a real chris evans. several of the rooms are open to the public. and none of those people starving because not kill palace is also home to a state run technical college. and on chance $4500.00 kilometers of bicycle paths one popular destination is valid golf the whole thing capital of germany and tourists from all over the world come here because it's a center of horse breeding and equestrian sports. some 100000 horses are said to live in munster land more than almost anywhere in europe horses have been bred at the north rhine-westphalia and state stud for nearly 200 years. you can take a tour of the stud farm. there are 160 horses in residence used as breeding stock and to train professional writers. but whether on a horse or a bicycle the best way to explore minister land is in the saddle. and . i've got another appointment now i'm here to meet city councilor my t.r.'s pick one of his areas of responsibility is sustainability and so naturally he's come to our appointments far by. perfect but how come e

. >> reporter: chris kulish watched his last sunrise from the top of the world but the 62-year-old attorneyulder, colorado, suddenly died after heading down to camp. he is the second american and the 11th person to die during a climbing season proving both deadly and crowded. >> i'm going to try to get up there when there's not too many people and the weather is good. >> reporter: with only a narrow window of good weather logjam climbers are forced to spend longer stretches in lethal death zone conditions where oxygen camps can run out. >> see camp two in the brackground. >> reporter: robin fisher died saturday. days earlier he warned on instagram with a single route to the summit, delays caused by overcrowding could prove fatal. nepal has issued a record number of climbing permits at $11,000 each. those who don't survive forever entombed on the mountain. >> we saw a climber that had taken a fall, had obviously hit their head, lost their life and that climber was fixed to the safety lines and every single person that had to climb that night had to step over that person's lifeless body and i

two of the elite climbers, don cash and christopher kulish ft collapsing a reaching the summit and spending time along this ridge where an astounding number of climbers pass through what's known as the death zone. experts saying this year there are too many people and not all are prepared. one sherpa telling us there armore inexperienced climbers than ever before. >> some of the people, they don't even know how to put on their cramp ones and also the harness. >> reporter: this season nepal issuing a record 381 permits, no plans on slowing down, charging $11,000 each. all in an expedition can run a climber more than $60,000. >> unfortunately, there arlot of inexperienced climbers who can sign up with some of the more local expeditions and just get on to the mountain with minimal background. >> reporter: but in the death zone, the body only gets 30% of the oxygen at sea level. so high most humans would lose consciousness within two minutes without an oxygen tank, and so sold that climbers like this woman suffer severe frostbite. this month climbers crossing by the bodies of those killed on ei

christopher kulish, who was 61 and from the united states, had reached the summit, and was on his ways season — the deadliest since 2015 — have been blamed on delays because of overcrowding on the mountain. gail mclellan reports. everest, where mankind battles mother nature to reach the top of the world. it's a deadly endeavour. the mountain stands over 8,800 metres tall, and a lack of oxygen means humans slowly die on the peaks upper slopes. the number of deaths this year already higher than the whole of 2018. it's been carnage and i should say, it has become a death race there, because there was a massive traffic jam and people are pushing themselves, who are not even capable of doing it. they do it and instead of summiting, they kill themselves. mountaineers say overcrowding is partly to blame, as record numbers of climbers try to conquer one of the world's toughest tests. conditions have been also worse than normal, with high winds blasting the mountain, leaving a narrow window of time to reach the summit. it really comes down to, this year, a deadly confluence of three factors. y

he says based on an initial report kulish went into cardiac arrest, but he just hit his goal. nepal's government issued more than 375 permits this year. the most ever in a single year. and there's just as many guides that go up with those permit holders. the big focus now on what is known as the death zone according to the locals. it's considered the most dangerous part of the entire climb. the peak is 29,035 feet above sea level. the death zone starts just above 26,000 feet. the highest camp, camp 4, is just below that zone. that's where this man died after descending from the summit. one man that turned around at camp 4 because of a lack of oxygen, said he thinks the crowds are part of what is causing so many deaths. >> most people die this year, it's been carnage. i should say it's a death. there's massive traffic jams. people are pushing themselves. they try to summit. instead of summiting, they kill themselves. it's turning into a bad thing, i think. people should look into it. >> shepard: this photo shows the line of people waiting to get to the summit last wednesday. i'

a 62-year-old attorney, christopher john kulish of colorado died monday after reaching the top of everesthis family said he died doing what he loved. he is survived by his mother and younger siblings. there are growing concerns about overcrowding. last week, crowds were stuck in a line to the summit. >> it has become a death race there because there was a massive traffic jam and people are pushing themselves. they do it, they try to summit, and instead of summiting, they kill themselves. >> all right, so cnn was just at everest base camp and she joins us live. she's in nepal. what are you hearing on the mountain? why are there so many people trying to summit here? why are the lines so long? >> reporter: it's a real combination of things. every single climber has that one goal of trying to reach the peak of everest because they want to see how far they can challenge themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. the issue right now is that based on what we're hearing on the ground, what we are hearing from sherpas who are on the mountain who have years of experience is a number of climb

the latest fatality is an american, christopher john kulish, who died after reaching the top of everest according to the director of nepal's tourism department. there have been a lot of different explanation as to why so many people have perished. i spoke to someone who has not only summited mt. everest by the highest peak on all seven continents. why do you think it is so many people are dying on the mountain? >> i think it's a couple things. i think the fact that the weather is limiting. there's only a ten-day window where you can climb everest. >> in any year? >> on average, about ten days or so that you can climb everest. this year i think that was reduced dramatically. so that's going to be a factor where people are on the mountain at the same time. >> and it's a bottleneck. there are too many people trying to get in in that small window of time. >> too many people getting in, and there's also no -- i believe there's no controls on the mountain. the permits are issued. there's a certain number of people on the mountain. if the weather window closes, people are on the mountain, they

nepal officials tell cnn christopher kulish of colorado died monday after reaching the summit.th in just over a week. that mountain has always been a dangerous and hostile place for climbers but pictures now coming out with some of these we're showing you. one veteran climber is now calling it a death race. >> lots of people died this year, everyone knows, and it's been a carnage, and i should say it has become a death race there. because there was a massive traffic jam and people are pushing themselves, who are not even capable of doing it. they do it, they try to summit, and instead of summiting, they kill themselves. >> cnn's arwa damon went to the base camp and sent back this report. watch. >> we have just arrived to everest base camp, and i have to say, even at this altitude, even without being anywhere near to the summit, you really feel the impact of the decreased oxygen levels, the scenery here is a absolutely spectacular. you really understand what the draw and appeal is. that's the ice fall that is so famous. it's what the climbers first have to go through to get to c

inexperience on the mountain. 11 died this year including two americans. 62-year-old christopher kulishwere seasoned climbers. t th in dang?ple's inexpie >> we cannot spend that much time at this altitude in -- they call it the death zone and it's absolutely freezing, minus 30, minus 40. not a good time to be standing still. >> reporter: this year the nepalese government granted 3,481 permits to scale everest. it appears mandy moore posted a picture on instagram. american ed duering said more companies are willing to take greater risks. >> there are some inexpensive companies that advertise we will get you to the top and unfortunately they do lure in people who want to participate in the mystique of everest but are really not prepared to do so. >> reporter: oddly enough today is everest day. it was on this day 66 years ago sir edmund hillary and his enzi thpe following in tirootsteps ever since. the big question is, will the authorities change the way everest is climbed for the modern age? >>imbersshould be the tority there. one. >>> coming up, the new message from alex trebek as he fig

christopher kulish, who was 61 and from the united states, had reached the summit, and was on his wayce 2015 — have been blamed on delays because of overcrowding on the mountain. gail mclellan reports. everest, where mankind battles mother nature to reach the top of the world. it's a deadly endeavour. the mountain stands over 8,800 metres tall, and a lack of oxygen means humans slowly die on the peaks upper slopes. the number of deaths this year already higher than the whole of 2018. it's been carnage and i should say, it has become a death race there, because there was a massive traffic jam and people are pushing themselves, who are not even capable of doing it. they do it and instead of summiting, they kill themselves. mountaineers say overcrowding is partly to blame, as record numbers of climbers try to conquer one of the world's toughest tests. conditions have been also worse than normal, with high winds blasting the mountain, leaving a narrow window of time to reach the summit. it really comes down to, this year, a deadly confluence of three factors. you had a limited number of s

more tragedy at the top of the world. 62-year-old american christopher kulish died monday while coming down from mt. everest summit. dog at hloved.s he he's now the 11th person and second american to die on the trek in the last ten days. >> we can expect five to seven deaths each year. to have 11 this year is alarming for a number of reasons. >> reporter: this season many experts and climbers warning of dangerous traffic jams forming at the peak. these images showing more than 300 hikers lined up on the mountain. >> you'd be sitting sometimes standing still for 5, 10, 15 minutes in very cold conditions with very low oxygen because of the high altitude and using up your oxygen while you're standing there waiting. >> reporter: this doctor from arizona experienced it firsthand and says his guide was so worried to be pushed off the summit he attached a rope to him. >> i didn't feel safe to the point where i decided it was better to get my picture sitting down rather than standing up. >> reporter: on wednesday utah climber don cash just finished his quest to climb the highest peaks on all s

among them chris kulish of colorado and donald cash of utah, both men dying on their way down from the toll is already double the annual average experienced climbers blame narcissism and greed too many inexperienced climbers scrambling for selfies to check off a bucket list. >> some of the people don't know how to put on their clamp ons and the harness. >> reporter: there is no minimum standard no required skill level to attempt the climb. >> i am on the summit of mount everest. >> reporter: colin o'brady, an experienced climber and endurance athlete says everest presents many challenges. >> if you are stuck in a queue, or you can climbing up more slowly, your body is not able to push hard enough the risk is that you end up on the death zone actually running out of supplemental oxygen. >> reporter: the nepalese government critics say they're all too eager to take th money from expeditions that can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars a head. >> how about it, richard you are there in kathmandu we can barely see you. what is the nepalese government saying about this criticism that th