Everest Climbing Route Opened by Nepali Team Amidst Congestion Warnings
Kathmandu. A skilled team of Nepali climbers has opened the route to the summit of Sagarmatha. This is good news for hundreds of climbers and their support staff waiting at Sagarmatha Base Camp, but experts have warned of potential overcrowding this season.
Climbers had been halted for the past few weeks after a large snowdrift blocked the only possible route above Base Camp. The Nepali team successfully cleared the obstruction and installed ropes and ladders on Wednesday morning, paving the way for other climbers to ascend to the summit.
Experts are concerned about potential 'traffic jams' on the world's highest peak and increased security challenges due to a record number of permits issued for Sagarmatha this year. Approximately 500 foreign climbers have obtained permits this season, and including their Nepali guides, it is estimated that around 1,000 people will attempt to reach the summit in the next two weeks.
Due to the delay in opening the route, many climbers are now under pressure to complete their ascents in a shorter timeframe. Purnima Shrestha, preparing for her sixth ascent of Sagarmatha, expressed concern that the delay in opening the route has added to worries about traffic jams. Climber Mingma Ji Sherpa also noted the risk of significant congestion and potential problems for many due to the limited time and large number of climbers.
The closure of the northern route from Tibet to foreign climbers by China this season has also increased pressure on the southern route from Nepal. The government and various climbing teams are coordinating to manage the crowds. Rishi Ram Bhandari, General Secretary of the Nepal Association of Mountain Tourism Operators, stated that efforts are underway to coordinate timings between different teams to prevent too many climbers from reaching the summit simultaneously.
Khimlal Gautam, an official from the Department of Tourism at Base Camp, said that a five-member team has been deployed to prevent queuing near the summit. According to him, there are currently about 2,000 people at Base Camp, including those climbing other mountains.
In the last two weeks, three people have lost their lives during preparations for Sagarmatha. Among the deceased is 35-year-old Bijay Ghimire, who was the first from the Dalit community to climb Sagarmatha; his death was reportedly due to altitude sickness. Additionally, 21-year-old Phura Galjen Sherpa fell into a crevasse near Camp 3, and another guide, 51-year-old Lakpa Dendi Sherpa, died while descending to Base Camp.
Despite the permit fee being increased from $11,000 to $15,000, the attraction of Sagarmatha for climbers has not diminished. Purnima Shrestha said, 'The delay in opening the route has added to concerns about potential traffic jams on the summit this year.'
Rishi Ram Bhandari said, 'We are coordinating with various teams to ensure that many climbers do not ascend the summit at the same time.'
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
