Nepal is implementing new regulations for climbers on Mount Everest, aimed at improving safety and managing overcrowding on the peak, which reaches 8,849 metres. A proposed law will restrict permits to those who have previously summited at least one of the country’s 7,000-metre mountains, as reported by Reuters. This move comes in response to concerns about the increasing number of inexperienced climbers attempting to tackle Everest.
Critics have longstanding issues with the Nepalese government’s approach, citing that inexperienced climbers contribute to perilous situations, particularly in the “Death Zone”, where oxygen is scarce. The influx of climbers has led to dangerous bottlenecks during climbing seasons when conditions can be extremely challenging. The high death toll associated with these climbs—eight fatalities last year and at least 12 in 2023, alongside several missing climbers—has been attributed primarily to overcrowding.
Despite the risks, the allure of reaching Everest’s summit continues to draw hundreds of adventurers during the climbing season between March and May. Climbers face harsh weather conditions, enduring temperatures as low as -34 degrees, alongside the threats of snowstorms and avalanches.
The proposed legislation also stipulates that mountain guides must be citizens of Nepal. This draft has been submitted to the National Assembly, the upper house of the country’s parliament, signalling a serious governmental effort to enhance the climbing experience and safety on Everest. Overall, these changes aim to ensure that only suitably experienced climbers embark on what remains one of the most challenging and hazardous ascents in the world.