Ang Tshering Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, told the Guardian that he would support banning climbers younger than 16 and older than 75, but he did not support restricting disabled climbers capable of attempting the summit.
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Ministry spokespeople said that now “everyone is going to Everest”, which has increased the level of risk, largely due to inexperienced climbers who are totally reliant on their paid guides for safety and incapable of helping other climbers who might be in trouble.
The regulations could have a negative impact on a major source of revenue for the impoverished country, which generates millions of dollars through selling climbing permits.
In previous years, hundreds of “tourist climbers” attempted to scale Everest, much to the concern of experienced mountaineers.
But Everest has in recent years drawn multitudes of climbers wanting to overcome their disabilities and achieve the formidable feat.
He said similar proposals had been mooted in the past, but instead of blanket bans, the government should impose the rules they already have.
“The Everest summit should be dignified and an issue of glory, so for that the ministry is working on introducing some limits”, Sapkota said. People under 16 are not allowed to climb Everest, but there is no upper age limit.
“We are considering changes to our permit policy, including a new requirement that anyone who wants to climb Everest should first climb another mountain with a height of at least 6,500 metres”, Karki said. “The more the number of climbers, the more human waste and garbage that are left on the mountain”.
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The mountain continues to have an nearly mystical attraction for many who have little or no experience of serious climbing. But the April 25 quake which killed almost 8,900 people raised fears for the immediate future of the tourism industry.
