American climber Shelley Johannesen died in an avalanche on Mount Makalu, Nepalese officials confirmed Tuesday, adding to a growing number of fatalities during Nepal's spring climbing season.

Mount Makalu, standing at 8,485 meters (27,838 feet), is the world's fifth-highest peak and is located in the Himalayas near the border between Nepal and Tibet. The mountain is considered one of the more technically challenging eight-thousanders for climbers.

Johannesen's death contributes to what appears to be a particularly deadly period for mountaineering in Nepal's Himalayas. The spring season, typically running from March through May, is considered the optimal time for high-altitude climbing due to more stable weather conditions.

Nepalese authorities have reported multiple climbing fatalities across various Himalayan peaks during May, including deaths on Mount Everest. The climbing industry is a significant source of revenue for Nepal, with hundreds of climbers attempting to summit the country's peaks each spring season.

Details about the specific circumstances of the avalanche on Mount Makalu were not immediately available. Avalanches remain one of the primary hazards facing climbers in the Himalayas, along with altitude sickness, extreme weather, and technical climbing challenges.