Over 500 climbers to scale Everest this spring

Kathmandu: Over 500 mountaineers are likely to scale Everest this spring starting from the second week of May according to the expedition organizers.

The ongoing trends about Everest permits being issued, bookings, and inquiries indicate that the number of climbers may surpass 500 this spring season though, there are speculated fears of increasing Covid-19 infections which may also negatively impact the exceptions.

The organizers are also concerned about overcrowding of the climbers on Everest routes which was reported in the past years.

The speculated increase in climbers this season is based on the total number of Everest permits issued so far which stands at 409 and due to the Chinese government’s decision to allow its citizens to travel abroad.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) this time has strictly asked potential climbers not to climb Everest without guides.

While climbing Everest the usual fee for foreign climbers is between USD 50,000 to USD 90,000 while the permit fee is USD 11,000 for foreigners and Rs 75,000 for Nepali climbers.

An experienced climbing guide usually makes as much as USD 12,000 during the 45-day Everest season. A normal guide earns around USD 7000 per season, while the high-altitude porters earn up to USD 4000 per season