But is it enough to effectively curb the problems?
Nepal is finally raising the cost of climbing its tallest peak, Mount Everest. Starting September 1, mountaineers will pay $15,000 in permit fees during the peak season, a 36% increase from the previous $11,000.
The peak season for climbing Everest is between April and May. However, some daring climbers also attempt the ascent during the harsher months. They, too, will face higher fees—$7,500 from September to November (up from $5,500) and $3,750 for those who climb between December and February (up from $2,750). The fees will apply to the South Col route, which was first summited by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
Mountaineering tourism generates significant income for Nepal, which is home to eight of the world’s highest mountains. Narayan Prasad Regmi, director general of the Department of Tourism, told Reuters the permit fees had not been reviewed in a long time. “We have updated them now.” He did not specify how the additional revenue would be used.
However, this increase is only a small part of the total cost of scaling the peak. Climbers spend anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 for the experience. So, in the grand scheme, this price hike is relatively insignificant. In fact, if the goal is to deter people from overcrowding the peak, it’s unlikely to succeed, two-time Everest veteran Jake Meyer told Business Insider. The cheaper the ticket, the more chances of death, he said, referring to inexperienced climbers who opt for “budget trips.” “The sad reality is that it’s often the most inexperienced climbers who sign up for the lowest-cost services, which are the ones that essentially require the most self-sufficiency.”
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Climbing the 29,032-foot peak is a monumental feat. Once, adventurers and thrill-seekers embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime challenge to test their skills and survival instincts. Today, however, it has become more accessible to those with bigger wallets—$25,000 can get someone to the summit.
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Climbers can hire sherpas to assist them and, without any formal training or skills, rely on others to complete the journey. As a result, more and more people are heading for Everest’s perennial challenge from the Nepal side, with permit numbers hitting record highs. The Nepali government issued around 300 permits last year, but in 2023, the number surged to 487.
This has led to dangerous traffic jams on the mountain, and tragically, many have died trying to reach the summit. While the lack of expertise among climbers is often blamed for the fatalities, overcrowding is also a massive issue. Climbers face extreme conditions, with temperatures below freezing and oxygen levels one-third of what they are at sea level. Any delay can be the difference between life and death.
The mountain itself is struggling under the pressure of such high tourist numbers. It is experiencing a garbage crisis, with tons of plastic waste and human waste frozen on the mountain. Last year, a team cleared 11 tons of garbage and four dead bodies from the world’s tallest peak—an effort that is both massive and time-consuming.
Authorities are aware of the problem and have taken action. Climbers are now required to bring their waste back to base camp, including their feces. The Supreme Court of Nepal has also ordered the government to limit the number of permits issued in order to respect the mountain’s capacity.
