Climbers sans 7,000 meters mountain experience to be barred from Mt. Everest

KATHMANDU, Nepal

Climbers without experience of at least a 7,000-meter mountain from Nepal will be barred from climbing Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak.

The Upper House of Nepal's bicameral parliament approved the Tourism Bill 2081, aimed at controlling the increased traffic jams at the highest point on Earth.

“This week, the Upper House approved the bill. It will be effective once the House of Representatives approves and it gets authenticated by the president,” said Himal Gautam, a spokesperson for the Department of Tourism, the body responsible for regulating the climbing industry.

The lower house, or the House of Representatives, is likely to approve it soon after it convenes in March. The House of Representatives was dissolved after Gen Z protests last September. A general election is scheduled for March 5 to elect new members of the parliament.

Every year, more than 400 aspiring Everest summiteers obtain climbing permits from the south side of Everest.

Since they had to reach the summit within a short weather window, climbers collapse on their way to the summit or during descent to the mountain’s base, as they had to wait hours because of inexperienced climbers.

The government often faces criticism for compromising safety standards while organizing expeditions.

Reformists in the climbing industry had been advocating for barring people without climbing experience from attempting the Everest summit.

The bill has also proposed to collect garbage from the climbers to keep the mountains clean and ensure the social welfare of the Sherpa.

Currently, the government collects $4,000 from each climber. But the fund gets refunded after climbers submit the garbage clearance certificate.

“Refundable garbage fund provision isn’t working at all. So, we have proposed to collect the fee and invest it for the purpose of mountain cleanup campaigns and the well-being of Sherpa guides,” said Gautam.