Everest climbers press on despite 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Tibet
Base camp remains unaffected as climbers await a weather window, with hundreds poised for summit bids.
Abiral Rai
Climbers on Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks are continuing their summit attempts despite a magnitude 5.7 earthquake that struck Tibet early Monday, according to expedition operators.
The earthquake was recorded at 2:41 a.m. IST at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located at latitude 29.02 N and longitude 87.48 E near the Nepal-China border, as reported by India’s National Center for Seismology. Concerns were raised about potential aftershocks.
However, expedition teams in Nepal’s climbing zones reported no damage or disruptions. “It is business as usual at the base camp. All the expedition members are patiently waiting for the weather to improve so they can continue with their summit push,” said Mingma David Sherpa of Elite Exped from the base camp.
Thousands of climbers, guides, and support staff have been stationed at the base camp for months, awaiting a suitable weather window for their final ascent. “We didn’t experience anything unusual,” added Gelje Sherpa, a prominent guide, speaking from Camp II while descending after a successful summit.
The climbing season on Everest is now in full swing, with a first wave of ascents underway as stable weather offers a narrow summit window. Nepal’s Department of Tourism has issued permits to 456 foreign climbers this season.
Other major Himalayan peaks are also experiencing climbing activity, with 79 permits granted for Makalu I, 75 for Kanchenjunga, and 16 for Dhaulagiri I. Mount Everest, which straddles the Nepal-China border, is primarily climbed from the southern route via Nepal, while activity on the northern route from Tibet remains limited this season.
