Global Courant
KATHMANDU — Weak climbers led up Mount Everest by expedition operators with insufficient experience are causing problems, a seasoned mountain guide said Sunday, after one of the deadliest climbing seasons in years on the world’s tallest mountain.
At least 12 climbers died and five are missing and feared dead on 8,849-foot Mount Everest during this year’s main climbing season that just ended, the deadliest since an earthquake triggered an avalanche that killed 18 people in 2015.
“The weakest clients with less experienced operators are part of the problem,” said 69-year-old Guy Cotter, a well-known New Zealand guide who has climbed Everest five times, in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu.
“Clients should have minimum climbing standards with proven previous climbs before coming to Everest,” he said.
Three Sherpa climbers were killed when ice crashed on them on the mountain’s lower reaches in April, and the rest of the dead succumbed to illness or exhaustion, government and hiking officials said.
Nepal does regulate climbing Everest and its other Himalayan peak, for example by insisting everyone get a permit, but Mr Cotter said the operators guiding customers up the mountain must meet minimum equipment standards and staff.
“There are many operators who bring customers to Everest but don’t understand how to prevent incidents and if something goes wrong they don’t have processes in place to address the issues,” said Mr Cotter.
Mr Bigyan Koirala, a Tourism Ministry official who oversees climbing, said the government is considering more regulations but did not provide details.
Nepal has issued a record 478 Everest permits this year and hundreds of people have reached the summit.
Nepal urged climbing regulations to reduce deaths on Everest
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