Nepal Prepares for a Record-Breaking Climbing Season on Mount Everest

Nepal is gearing up for an exceptionally busy climbing season this spring on Mount Everest, as the number of permits issued for summiting the world's highest peak has already surpassed last year's figures ahead of the typical peak season in early May. According to the Tourism Ministry, as of the beginning of this week, 427 climbing permits have been granted to applicants from 52 countries, compared to a total of 421 permits issued in the previous year.

"This number is not final, as more climbers are still arriving and applying for permits," stated a spokesperson from the Ministry in Kathmandu. The surge in applications is attributed not only to individual climbers' schedules but also to the anticipated increase in permit fees. Many clients from a prominent trekking agency are still waiting for their approvals for the pre-monsoon season.

The 8,849-meter-high Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas along the border between Nepal and China, can be accessed and climbed from both countries. The Nepalese government plans to raise the climbing permit fees for foreign climbers significantly starting in September. The current fee of $11,000 for ascents via the South Route during the peak season will increase to $15,000 (approximately EUR13,170). Additionally, a bill currently pending in the Nepali Parliament proposes that climbers must demonstrate prior experience by providing proof of having successfully summited a mountain over 7,000 meters before being eligible for an Everest permit. The likelihood of this bill passing remains uncertain, raising skepticism among experts.

Concerns have been voiced regarding the practical implications of such a legal requirement, with some questioning the distinction between climbing a 7,000-meter peak and an 8,000-meter peak, noting that both present significant risks to climbers.

The fees associated with climbing, along with other expenditures incurred by climbers, represent crucial revenue streams for Nepal, which is one of the poorer nations in the region. Notably, Nepal is home to eight of the 14 mountains that stand over 8,000 meters high, including Mount Everest.

This year, the majority of applicants for the pre-monsoon climbing season hail from the United States, followed closely by climbers from India and China. According to trekking operators, hundreds of climbers are already at the Everest Base Camp, acclimatizing in preparation for their summit attempts.