Citing ‘the issue of inexperienced climbers,’ Nepali officials said there will be changes to climbing the world’s highest peak.
With at least 11 deaths and conditions some likened to “Lord of the Flies,” Mount Everest’s 2019 climbing season has proven among the deadliest and most tumultuous on record.
Stories of extreme overcrowding and hostilities among climbers have swept across headlines this month. Now, the Nepali government has acknowledged the problem and promised to make “some change in the expedition sector,” according to The New York Times.
“It’s time to review all the old laws,” Parliament member Yagya Raj Sunuwar told the Times.
While officials did not commit to any official changes, they did acknowledge climbing experience — or lack thereof — as a concern.
“We raised the issue of inexperienced climbers,” said Mira Acharya, a senior Nepal tourism official. “We are discussing reforming some issues, including setting criteria for every Everest hopeful.”
At present, most anyone can hire a guide and porters to lead them up Everest. This has led to a growing number of bucket-list tours flocking up the 29,029-foot ascent.
We will monitor any official announcement or rule changes from the Nepali government.
