"Climbing Everest? Got 7,000m Experience?"... Nepal Takes Drastic Measures After Annual Deaths

Nepal Proposes Bill to Restrict Everest Climbing Permits
Measures Aim to Reduce Overcrowding and Enhance Safety

Nepal is moving forward with legislation that would allow only climbers who have previously summited a peak over 7,000 meters to attempt Mount Everest (8,849m). This measure is aimed at reducing overcrowding and enhancing safety.

People climbing Mount Everest in Nepal. Nepal Tourism Board

According to CNN on April 29, Nepalese authorities have recently submitted a draft bill to parliament that would permit only those climbers who have experience climbing peaks over 7,000 meters in Nepal to attempt Mount Everest.

The core of the bill requires climbers to provide proof that they have summited at least one mountain over 7,000 meters within Nepal in order to receive a permit to climb Everest. In addition, any local guide accompanying climbers on Everest must be a Nepalese national.

Nepal, whose economy is highly dependent on tourism, has faced criticism for allowing too many climbers?including those lacking sufficient experience?to attempt the summit of Everest.

Overcrowding has been identified as a major factor in the high number of fatalities on Everest. In 2023, Nepalese authorities issued 478 climbing permits, with at least 12 climbers dying and 5 going missing. Last year, the number of deaths reached 8.

However, international expedition operators have objected to the bill, arguing that climbers with experience on 7,000-meter peaks outside of Nepal should also be eligible for Everest permits. They also pointed out that, given the shortage of Nepalese mountain guides, guides from other countries should be allowed to work on Everest as well.