AP PHOTOS: Hundreds scale Mount Everest in a weather-hit climbing season

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Hundreds of climbers and their Sherpa guides scaled Mount Everest this month in Nepal, struggling against harsh weather to make it to the summit of the world's highest mountain before the climbing season finishes at the end of May.

Though several climbers did manage to reach the summit in mid-May, weather conditions deteriorated for days, forcing a retreat to base camp for many, including Kami Rita Sherpa, who was attempting to break his own record by scaling the peak for a 31st time.

He did manage to scale the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak on May 27, but several climbers were not so lucky.

The route to the summit is equipped with ladders and ropes but these are removed at the end of May, marking an end to the climbing season before the monsoon brings heavy rainfall and bad weather.

According to Nepal's Department of Mountaineering, 468 foreign climbers from 57 countries were given permits to climb Everest by the end of May, along with a roughly equal number of Nepalese mountain guides.

Because of the limited windows of good weather near the summit, large numbers of climbers lined up, attached to the single safety rope, which is known as the “Everest traffic jam.”

“Overall on Everest, weather is the key and it was not same as the forecast. And secondly, it was crowded because both professionals and beginners were there at the same time," said Pasang Rinji Sherpa, a guide, adding that movement was slow because of some of the novice climbers.

Pasang Rinji has already climbed the peak twice but was forced to retreat this time because he got sick on the mountain.

He said there were many cases of flu and the “Khumbu cough,” named after a region on Everest, which affects climbers at high altitudes. Some climbers and guides abandoned or postponed their ascent, he said.

He said that only qualified climbers should be allowed to climb the peak to make the experience safer and easier.

“Right now there are beginners with no experience or knowledge and professionals at the same time, and this is causing the problem,” he said. “There should be basic knowledge for the climbers to use gear properly and be safe while climbing Everest.”

Six-time Everest summiteer Jenjen Lama said the weather the biggest challenge this year because it would change without warning.

“The weather was very difficult to predict and the forecast would be great for the following day, but on the day the weather would deteriorate every hour or so,” he said.

Thursday marked the 72nd anniversary of the conquest of Mount Everest by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay.

Kami Rita Sherpa, third left, who holds the record for most ascents to Mount Everest, prays with other mountaineers at Everest Base Camp before beginning his ascent to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

A sherpa hands vodka, that was earlier offered to the Gods, to a climber after a ritual for a safe climb at Everest Base Camp before beginning his ascent to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Mountaineers form a queue as they approach the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kunga Sherpa)

Members of an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest stand by their tents at the Everest Base Camp in Nepal, April 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Indian Army personnel take part in a training session at Everest Base Camp before beginning their ascent to Mount Everest in Nepal, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Oxygen cylinders are kept on a slope on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kunga Sherpa)

Mount Pumori, center left, looms in the background as a mountaineer negotiates Khumbu Icefall to descend to Everest Base Camp, in Nepal, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Mountaineers ascend to Camp 2 on their way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

The body of an unidentified mountaineer lies near Camp 4 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenjen Lama)

Members of an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest stand by their tents at the Everest Base Camp in Nepal, April 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

A mountaineer takes part in a training session at Khumbu Icefall before beginning his ascent to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

An aerial view shows Everest Base Camp on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Indian Army personnel take part in a training session at Everest Base Camp before beginning their ascent to Mount Everest in Nepal, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Khumbu Icefall is visible between two peaks in the background at the Everest Base Camp in Nepal, April 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

A mountaineer is silhouetted against Mount Ama Dablam on his way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

A climber rests early morning inside a tent at the Everest Base Camp in Nepal, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Mountaineers form a queue as they approach the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kunga Sherpa)

Mountaineers take a group selfie after summiting Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kunga Sherpa)

Mount Thamserku rises above the town of Namche Bazaar in Nepal, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Mountaineers queue up below Camp 4 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenjen Lama)

Garbage is piled up at a waste collection center at Everest Base Camp in Nepal, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Mountaineers negotiate Khumbu Icefall as they ascend toward the summit of Mount Everest, Nepal, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Mount Everest, right, is seen from the Khumbu region which lies on the way to the summit, in Nepal, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

A member of the kitchen crew of an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest collects ice for drinking water at Camp 1, Nepal, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

A mountain guide uses a radio at Camp 2 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Mountaineers ascend from Camp 2 to Camp 3 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest which is visible in the background, in Nepal, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

An aerial view shows Camp 1 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

Mountaineers ascend to Camp 2 on their way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — There were plenty of questions about how the Carolina Panthers would fare in the postseason.

They repeatedly missed opportunities down the stretch to wrap up the NFC South, only to back into the playoffs with a losing record on the final day of the regular season.

Las Vegas oddsmakers sure didn't believe in the Panthers. Carolina entered the week 200-1 longshots to win the Super Bowl — by far the lowest of any of the 14 teams in the postseason — and a 10 1/2-point home underdog to the Los Angeles Rams in Saturday's wild-card game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

But the Panthers proved they were indeed playoff worthy — nearly pulling off a stunning upset.

“We just showed people that we aren’t the old Panthers,” cornerback Mike Jackson said.

They took the high-powered Rams to the brink of elimination before All-Pro quarterback Matthew Stafford pulled out a late 34-31 victory with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left, allowing Los Angeles to move on to the divisional playoffs and abruptly end Carolina's season.

After the game, there was a mixture of pride and pain in the locker room. But above all, there was optimism and hope.

“This is the new standard now. We're going to be a playoff team," defensive lineman and team captain Derrick Brown told his teammates.

“A lot of people didn’t give us a chance,” Jackson said. "I think the spread was something crazy. So, we just showed people who we are, and we got a lot to build on.”

The biggest question entering this season was whether Bryce Young was the right guy to lead the franchise.

The No. 1 pick in 2023 showed he doesn't lack heart, leading six winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. He now has 12 in the past three seasons, more than anyone named Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes or even Stafford, who denied Young No. 13.

It wasn't always pretty this season for Young, but there's clearly something to build on.

He overcame an early interception Saturday and completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards, including a well-placed 7-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker with 2:39 left to put the Panthers ahead 31-27. He also fearlessly ran for a 16-yard TD.

“He just showed who he is, man,” Jackson said. “A lot of people talk about how little he is, how he can’t get it done, and it’s just like, he doesn’t listen to it. He is a silent killer, and I love that about him.”

The Panthers finished 8-10 overall, but took a big step — a year before most in and around the organization thought they would be competitive.

It might not have unfolded the way they wanted it to by losing four of five to close the season, but the Panthers snapped a seven-year playoff drought and dethroned four-time NFC South champion Tampa Bay to win their first division title in a decade.

“There is such a mix of emotions right now in the locker room, from guys being proud of what we accomplished and where we got, to being sick about the opportunity that was right there in front of us,” second-year coach Dave Canales said. “And that is going to sting.”

“I didn’t want it to end,” Young said. “It’s a super special group of guys in the locker room. I’m super proud of the way guys responded to adversity.”

There will be mistakes that will be questioned this week, too.

— Why did the Panthers appear to give the Rams receivers so much cushion on Stafford's winning drive?

— Why were they unable to advance the ball a single yard on their final drive with 38 seconds left and three timeouts remaining?

Despite it all, this will go down as a season of growth for a young team.

And the future appears bright.

“They’re really creating a beautiful culture here. Guys are bought in,” safety Nick Scott said. “Hopefully, they will continue to be here and good things will happen in the future.”

After the game, Canales said starting left tackle Ickey Ekwonu suffered a significant right knee injury in the first quarter that caused him to leave the game. The extent of the injury was not immediately known, but it's possible it could impact Ekwonu's availability for training camp.

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Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) walks off the field after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales answers questions after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) kneels on the field after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young answers questions after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)