Nearly 300 climbers have acquired permission to climb Mount Everest as Nepal’s tourism economy shows some signs of recovery, Nepali authorities said.
As of April 20th, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT), 224 male and 68 female climbers from 73 countries have been issued permits to climb Mt. Everest. The figure makes up nearly 35 percent of total permits issued for 23 mountains across Nepal.
The final number of permits could still rise as climbers are known to seek permissions as late as mid-May. However, this year’s numbers are very unlikely to exceed the record-high mark set last year.
In 2021, Nepal issued a total of 408 Everest permits – the highest number in history. This was due largely to China’s closure of the Northern side of the mountain to all climbing, and a backlog of permits from the preceding climbing season, which was canceled due to Covid-19 related lockdowns.
This year, multiple factors including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the spread of Covid-19 in China, and a burgeoning global financial crisis have contributed to the lower number of climbers.
“The Russian-Ukraine war caused cancellations of expeditions from Europe. China restricted traveling in and out of the country, and the Indian government did not sponsor any teams from security agencies this year,” said Surya Prasad Upadhyaye, director at the Tourism Department.
Indian and Chinese climbers make up approximately a quarter of all Everest hopefuls.
“So, the number of climbers is sure to drop this season,” said Upadhyaye.
Mingma Sherpa of the Kathmandu-based Seven Summit Treks said that dozens of his clients, including 25 Ukrainians, canceled their booking to climb Everest.
“Russia-Ukraine war and the lockdown in China have forced many climbers to postpone their plans,” said Sherpa.
Fewer permits for Everest is likely to cause a significant drop in royalty fees for the Nepal Government. Last year, Nepal issued a total of 740 climbing permits for 16 mountains, including six 8000-meter mountains. Of them, Everest alone fetched $4.1 million in permit fees while the remaining mountains brought together only $451,000.
With a potential drop of 100 climbers this year, Nepal stands to lose up to $1 million in royalties.
Beside permit fees, fewer foreign climbers also means fewer job opportunities for mountain guides, lodge owners, support staff and porters.
“Expeditions did not turn out to be as favorable this year, when we needed it the most. Nepal is already in an economic crisis,” said Nivesh Karki, General Manager of Everest outfitter, Pioneer Adventure.
Rebound in number of tourists
DoT officials have indicated that there could be around a total 25 percent drop in the number of Everest climbers, while the number of permits on other 8,000 meter peaks is likely to remain stable.
The good news is that there has been a healthy rebound in the number of non-climbing tourists including tour groups and trekkers. Hotels and tea shops in major tourist hubs and trekking trails are once again abuzz with tourists, according to local media reports. Lukla airport, the gateway to Mount Everest, has been receiving up to 50 flights every day. In March, a total of 42,006 foreign tourists entered Nepal – the highest for any month since the onset of Covid-19 pandemic.
In order to encourage more foreigners, Nepal has removed Covid-19 related preventative measures such as mandatory PCR tests for fully vaccinated travelers and quarantine requirements.
Some climbers to watch this year:
Many climbers have already reached the base camp, while others are on their way. A team of ten climbers are planning to create history and spread a message of inclusion in the outdoors by becoming the first all-black group to summit Everest. Antonina Samoilova, the only climber from Ukraine, plans to unfurl her country’s flag to draw the world’s attention toward the plight of Ukrainians at the receiving end of the ongoing Russian invasion. The other high profile climbers include former Miss Uruguay Vanessa Estol, and French cimber Eric Batard who plans to climb Everest via a new route. Australian Ken Hutt, 62, will try paragliding down from the summit of Everest. He will be accompanied by his film crew.
Asma Al Thani, a Qatari royal member, is making her second attempt to summit Everest. This time with Nimsdai’s Elite Exped. Last year, she had to call off due to a coronavirus outbreak. She is on her path to become the first woman from the Middle East to climb all seven summits. She has already summited Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Mount Vinson.
Everest could also see some record breaking ascents— including a possible 26th summit by climbing guide Kami Rita Sherpa and a 10th summit by Lakpa Sherpa, the only woman to have summited Everest 9 times.
