Mountain Project Logo

Everest closed to inexperienced climbers

Original Post
caesar.salad · · earth · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 75
theguardian.com/world/2015/…

Waddaya think?

I'm guessing most people in this community agree.
FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

I think it will help save lives, but it will make it harder for the Sherpas and porters to make a living (less clients).

sherb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 60

Somewhat off topic, but regarding fatalities, mostly I'm concerned about the Sherpa population because despite their low census numbers (20,000-40,000) they have the greatest number of fatalities in Everest because they do the dangerous rope-setting part. And it is my understanding you can't just become a Sherpa (like you can become a porter), Sherpas have a special physical make-up and blood type which adapts them to high altitude evolved from three thousand years of high altitude living. However, not all high-altitude populations (Andeans, Ethiopians) adapted as well to high-altitude as Sherpas.

Healyje · · PDX · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 422

Pretty simple, if you need other people to stage fixed lines, basecamps and oxygen bottles for you in order to summit then you don't belong on the mountain.

MyFeetHurt · · Glenwood, CO · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 10

6500m doesn't seem like much of a bench mark with respect to the Himalayas. If that truly weeds out a sizable number of otherwise potential clients, then I guess I underestimated the level of incompetence up there. Sadly, Aconcagua will easily check this box for most climbers, yet it provides zero skills with respect to fixed lines and crampon work, yet Denali wouldn't count.

If Nepal wants to "preserve the glory of the summit" they need to find a way to reduce the level of support to teams. That will naturally bring back the challenge of the peak, but also increase risk.

Max Forbes · · Colorado · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 108

6500m seems somewhat arbitrary. If you were an accomplished climber with significant technical unsupported ascents in places like Alaska or Patagonia, you'd have to go on an additional expedition to reach 6500 just so you could apply for Everest permits. I think the concept is a great idea, I just hope who ever does the verification does it correctly.

Christian Schrader · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 75

"The permits cost thousands of dollars and are a key source of revenue for Nepal. It is unclear how the demand for “proof of competence” might be enforced."

This statement stood out the most to me in this article.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480

Ban ascents that use bottled oxygen. Less people, less trash.

Joy likes trad · · Southern California · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 71

I support closing the "ride"

Allen Sanderson · · On the road to perdition · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 1,203

It will make little difference, many of the guides require that the clients have previously climbed an 8000m peak. Typically Cho Oyo.

Healyje · · PDX · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 422

It's a world heritage site - the UN and member nations whose citizens climb it should contribute to a fund to restore the mountain to as pristine a state as possible and keep it that way every year. That would provide Sherpas with at least some replacement income.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480
Healyje wrote:It's a world heritage site - the UN and member nations whose citizens climb it should contribute to a fund to restore the mountain to as pristine a state as possible and keep it that way every year. That would provide Sherpas with at least some replacement income.
Designate Mount Everest a Superfund site.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Mountaineering
Post a Reply to "Everest closed to inexperienced climbers"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.