KUALA LUMPUR – The Nepalese government is preparing to introduce a quota system to limit the number of climbers attempting to summit Mount Everest starting next year.
This decision coincides with plans to upgrade the Everest base camp, located at 5,150 metres above sea level. Improvements are expected to include enhanced internet connectivity and better washroom facilities, with the project slated for completion by mid-next year.
Pasang Tendi, a veteran climber who has summited Everest 17 times and serves as director of the Nepal High Mountain Academy (NHMA), a government-run institution, stated that the initiative aims to improve safety and reduce fatalities and disappearances in the area.
Since 1922, over 340 climbers have perished while either ascending or descending Mount Everest, which, at 8,848.86m, is the highest mountain in the world.
“There are many upgrades our government needs to implement at the base camp for the safety of climbers. By upgrading the base camp, we can better monitor climbers during their activities.
“Although our search and rescue teams are efficient, we currently receive approximately 30,000 to 40,000 climbers a year, and it’s impossible to keep track of every one of them.
“We want to make Everest safer for visitors, and we are doing our best for the climbers. We may need to temporarily halt the number of visits until the upgrades are completed.
He further noted that many climbers lack high-altitude experience. The government, he said, is considering introducing stricter requirements for Everest climbers, including a rule that climbers must have summited at least five peaks over 6,000 metres before attempting Everest.
Additionally, Tendi revealed that the government is also contemplating a 10% increase in Everest excursion fees in order to deter ill-prepared climbers. Currently, the cost of an Everest expedition begins at US$25,000 (RM 107,250).
In 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, triggering an avalanche on Pumori that swept through the South Base Camp, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 people.
More recently, in 2022, it was reported that the base camp might be relocated 200 to 400 metres lower, as the Khumbu Glacier, where it is situated, is melting and thinning at an alarming rate, posing a safety risk to climbers. – October 18, 2024