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A record, Nepal issued 454 permits to climb Mount Everest. Photos/Illustrations
KATHMANDU – Nepal set a record after issuing 454 permits to climb Mount Everest this spring despite fears of overcrowding at the world’s highest peak.
It is feared that the high number of climbers may cause traffic and congestion on the way to the summit.
In 2019, overcrowding on Everest led to long queues, waiting times and dwindling oxygen levels, leading to at least 11 deaths.
Officials say the number of permits granted this season is higher than ever before, with the potential for more permits to be granted in the coming weeks.
More than 900 climbers are expected to head to the summit of Everest this season, with the majority attempting the climb with the help of Nepali guides, according to AFP.
Some mountaineers have expressed concern about the potential risks of the season, especially if there is a shorter time to summit due to unfavorable weather, the news agency reported.
The highest number of climbers who received permits this season were from China (96), followed by the United States (87).
Ang Tshering Sherpa, former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, told AFP that the season’s high numbers were mainly due to many climbers not being able to travel to Nepal in recent years due to the disruption of the COVID pandemic.
New rules on the Chinese side, requiring climbers to climb one 8,000m peak first, have also sent more Chinese climbers to Nepal.
