The Record Setting Women of Everest. #10 for Lhakpa Sherpa and 18 year old American Lucy Westlake Summits at Sunrise

 The Record Setting Women of Everest. #10 for Lhakpa Sherpa and 18 year old American Lucy Westlake Summits at Sunrise

With clear skies, low winds and warm temperatures, Lhakpa Sherpa just made her 10th ascent of Mount Everest, the most for any woman. Like her male counterpart Kami Rita Sherpa on 26 ascents, she just keeps breaking her own record.

And Lucy Westlake just became the youngest American woman to scale the peak, at just 18 years of age. An endurance athlete, triathlete and also the youngest woman to complete the U.S.’s 50 high points last year, it seems she may just be getting started.

She surpassed American Samantha Larson, who was also 18, who finished up with Everest on her way to becoming the youngest American woman to do all the 7 summits.

Melissa Arnot, with Dave Morton in Camp 1 on Makalu. Melissa holds the American record for most ascents of Everest by a woman, with 6. More impressively, her last one was done without oxygen up the North Ridge. Photo: Robert Anderson

And should you wonder who is the overall youngest woman? It was 13 year old Indian Malavath Purna who reached the summit on 25 May, 2014, admitting she didn’t even know it was a world record when she did it.

Also Indian, Santosh Yadav was the first woman to climb Everest twice, on her second ascent ascending the far more challenging and dangerous Kangshung Face in 1993, along the route I first led an expedition to in 1988 and climbed along with Paul Teare, Ed Webster and Stephen Venables.

The first woman to summit Everest of course was Junko Tabei, in 1975, who then went on to also be the first woman to ascend the Seven Summits, in 1992. At 4′ 9″ tall (145 cm.), it’s quite possible she may also hold the record for the most number of steps taken to reach the top?

The first woman to reach the top without oxygen was the indomitable New Zealander Lydia Bradey (right), in 1988, before going on to summit the mountain a further 5 times. More recently, in 2019, she guided Roxanne Vogel (left) on her international odyssey from San Francisco to the top of Everest in just 12 days. Photo: Mingma Sherpa

The fastest ascent on the South Side of Everest was made by Hong Kong Teacher Tsang Yin-Hung, in a shade under 26 hours. “When you aim high, expect high,” says the teacher, who said she was not looking to break the record, just challenge herself.

Should you fear there is just not enough time left in your life for Everest, Japanese woman Tamae Watanabe summited first at 63 years of age from the North side, then came back and did it again at 73 via the South Col, breaking her own record for the oldest woman to the top.

The Full Circle Everest team has three women members as well, Abby Dione, Rosemary Saal and Adina Scott. So while attempting to become the first all Black team to climb together, they could also be putting some of the first black women on top of the peak as well.

Sophia Danenberg on the summit in 2006, who like Samantha Larson, were happy to make the trip to New York to spend a night at the Ruben Museum for our Peak Experience, guiding and teaching young New Yorkers about ascending to the heights of Everest.

The first African-American and Black woman to climb Everest was Sophia Danenberg, ascending the South Col route in 2006. If Everest is the high point for many people, Sophia’s other accomplishments, if anything, put it in the pale of her continued accomplishments in business and in life.

This year, with her ascents of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri already completed in just 10 days of climbing, Norwegian Kristin Harila will soon be headed to Everest on her quest to break Nims Dai record and complete all the 8,000 meter peaks in a record setting 6 months – lets just hope the weather holds for her.

Kristin Harila – two of the the 8,000 meter peaks down, 12, including Everest to go.

And if anyone is opting to keep the noise down on Everest down and their carbon footprint a bit lower by forgoing the common helicopter ride back down the Khumbu, they can make an attempt at Lizzy Hawker’s record, for running from Everest Base Camp back to Kathmandu in just 63 hours – a record that holds across both men and woman.

Naperville 18-year-old becomes youngest American woman to reach summit of Mount Everest

 Naperville 18-year-old becomes youngest American woman to reach summit of Mount Everest

•             Lucy Westlake did it.

•             The 18-year-old Naperville native became the youngest American woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, according to a post on the Instagram account of the expedition group she's climbing with.

•             The Xtreme Climbers group made "an official announcement" at about 7:30 p.m. Central time that Westlake "successfully stood on the summit of Mount Everest 8848.86m on 12.May.2022 at 5:36 am Nepali time."

•             Westlake's own Instagram account confirmed the summit.

•             After spending a couple of minutes "on the top of The World," Westlake and her sherpa, Mingma Chhiring, began the descent back to lower camp, expected to take four to five hours, the expedition group said.

•             Earlier Lucy's mother, Amy Westlake, posted on Lucy's Instagram account that Lucy left the lower camp more than nine hours earlier, starting at 8:15 p.m. Nepali time. So she climbed Everest through the night and arrived at the summit just after daybreak.

•             The expedition group posted an image of several people, carrying bright lights, making the final snow-covered climb to the Everest summit.

•             Reaching the highest point on the planet -- at an altitude of more than 29,000 feet -- is the latest goal achieved by Westlake, whose bigger plan is to complete the Explorers Grand Slam. That's a challenge to reach the North and South poles and climb the highest mountains in each of the seven continents, also known as the Seven Summits.

•             Westlake has ascended Denali in Alaska, Europe's Mount Elbrus, Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua in South America, and now Mount Everest in Asia. The remaining sites on the list are Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Carstensz Pyramid north of Australia and both poles.

•             Westlake had hoped to complete the Explorers Grand Slam by the time she entered college in the fall, but that won't happen because of expenses and COVID-19 restrictions that created roadblocks. Shortly after she returns home, Westlake will head to the University of Southern California, where she'll be on scholarship to compete in cross country and track and field.

•             Westlake, a recent Naperville North High School graduate, said she still aims to become the youngest adventurer to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, topping a Japanese woman who was 20 when she completed it in 2017.

Kami Rita Sherpa climbs Everest for 26th time, breaks his own record

 Kami Rita Sherpa climbs Everest for 26th time, breaks his own record

A team of 11 Nepali high-altitude climbing guides reached the summit of Mt Everest on Saturday evening, making it the first expedition of the spring in the world’s tallest peak.

A team of 11 Nepali high-altitude climbing guides reached the summit of Mt Everest on Saturday evening, making it the first spring ascent of the world’s tallest peak this year.

Kami Rita Sherpa created history by climbing the 8,848.86 metre tall peak 26th time, 

Kami Rita reached the summit at 18:55 [local time] as the leader of the rope fixing team, along with 10 other climbing sherpas.

The other climbers are Sona Sherpa, Ngima Tashi Sherpa, Phurba Tsering Sherpa, Tenjing Gyaljen Sherpa, Lakpa Tenji Sherpa, Phurba Kusang Sherpa, Mingma Dandhu Sherpa, Pastenji Sherpa, Tareman Tamang and Phurba Chhotar.

Kami Rita had scaled Everest for the first time on May 13, 1994. He also holds the record of "most climbs over 8000m”, said Mingma Sherpa.

Between 1994 and 2022, Kami Rita has summited Everest 26 times, K2 and Lhotse one time each, Manaslu three times and Cho Oyu eight times.

This spring, the Department of Tourism has issued permits to 316 individuals.

Last spring, the department had issued a record 408 permits for Everest in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A climbing permit for Everest costs $11,000 for foreigners. But climbers end up spending between $40,000 and $90,000 to climb the mountain.

Trekkers return to Annapurna Circuit as Nepal throws gates wide open

       Trekkers return to Annapurna Circuit as Nepal throws gates wide open

For scenery and cultural diversity, this has long been considered the best trek in Nepal, and one of the world’s classic walks.

The Annapurna region has started welcoming quarantine-free tourists back to its popular trekking trails as Nepal tries to reboot its pandemic ravaged tourism industry.

Going all around the Annapurnas, the Annapurna Circuit trekking trail meanders across the central Nepal Himalaya through one of the most beautiful sceneries on the planet. The walking route is triply blessed with stunning landscapes, architecture and culture.

The Annapurna Conservation Area, a 7,629-sq-km protected area encompassing villages, hills, valleys, gorges and lakes with the snowy Annapurnas towering over them, is spread across the five districts of Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi and Lamjung.

In September, after Nepal removed the remaining coronavirus restrictions, 76 trekkers led the first foray into the Annapurna region. "By the first week of October, 96 foreign trekkers had entered the Annapurna Circuit through Manang," said Lekhnath Gautam, chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project unit office in Manang.

A few days ago, a group of 40 tourists, including seven differently-abled sight-seers, chartered a plane and landed at Manang's Humde Airport. “October seems to be encouraging,” said Binod Gurung, chairman of the Tourism Entrepreneurs Association Manang.

“All hotels were closed for a year and a half due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The arrival of trekkers back to the trekking trails has cheered the industry.”

On September 23, the government threw away the seven-day quarantine requirement and resumed issuing on-arrival visas to all vaccinated foreign travellers in a bid to bring the virus-ravaged tourism industry back to life.

Visitors should have received their last dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 full days prior to entering Nepal. Those who are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated will not get on-arrival visas. They have to get their entry permits from Nepali diplomatic missions, and also spend 10 days in quarantine in government-listed hotels.

Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit was named among the top 10 most incredible travel experiences in the world by Lonely Planet in October last year.

The world's number one travel guide publisher said in its latest Ultimate Travel List that Covid-19 resulted in travel restrictions around the world, and clipped travellers’ wings through 2020.

For scenery and cultural diversity, this has long been considered the best trek in Nepal, and one of the world’s classic walks.

The trail follows the Marsyangdi Valley to the north of the main Himalayan range and crosses a 5,416-metre pass to descend into the dramatic desert-like, Tibetan-style scenery of the upper Kali Gandaki Valley.

“There is no single restriction on the Annapurna Circuit. It’s fully open for all visitors,” said Bishnu Lamichhane, chief district officer of Manang. “All trekking routes, except a few damaged by rainfall, are safe.”

But visitors have to mandatorily submit a Covid-19 negative report obtained within the previous 72 hours before hitting the trail in Manang and Mustang. “We want to spread the message in the world that Annapurna is safe,” said Lamichhane.

The circuit received zero trekkers in January and February. In March, there were 66 trekkers which grew to 366 in April.

In spring, the government reopened the country for foreign travellers in the hope of lifting the economy and employment by reviving tourism.

Subsequently, Nepal received a record-high number of foreigners aspiring to climb the world’s tallest peak, Mt Everest, as the Covid-19 pandemic looked like petering out. But the Delta outbreaks and slow vaccine rollout again clouded the country's tourism.

After the second Covid-19 wave which struck in April, the country slid into a devastating crisis, and authorities enforced strict lockdown measures. About two months later, the restrictions were relaxed gradually; and since September 1, almost everything has been allowed to reopen.

As the government imposed the second lockdown on April 29, the number of trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit dropped to 48. June and July saw a lone trekker each. According to government statistics, there were three wanderers in August.

The Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp trekking routes count among the world's greatest adventure walking trails. Nearly 200,000 foreign tourists used to throng the Annapurna Conservation Area annually.

The Annapurna area was opened to foreign trekkers in 1977.

On June 3, 1950, Frenchmen Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal became the first climbers to summit the forbidding Himalayan peak Annapurna I. This triumph, an unimaginable struggle against hardship, was completed without supplemental oxygen. It was also the first time an eight-thousander among the 14 in the world was climbed.

Herzog wrote a book called Annapurna about mountaineering which was published in 1952. More than 11 million copies were sold (till 2000) making it one of the best-selling books in the history of mountaineering.

This book has been regarded as a milestone for the development of mountaineering tourism in Nepal.

The original route of the Annapurna Circuit started at the market town of Dumre on the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway and ended in Pokhara, and took about 23 days to complete. After the construction of roads, the original 23-day walk has now been cut to only five days. 

First in 45 years, 22 climbers make rare autumn ascent of Manaslu main summit

      First in 45 years, 22 climbers make rare autumn ascent of Manaslu main summit

The main peak is 8,163 metres high, and the mountaineering fraternity has lauded the climbers for making it to the ‘true summit’.

The team gathered at 8,100 metres, a place where people usually stop because they can’t climb to the true summit because of the tricky ridge and risk. The team then traversed down a little below and again climbed to the main summit, which is 8163 metres. Photo courtesy: Jackson Groves' Facebook page

Mountaineers have scaled the main summit of Mt Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world, in autumn, accomplishing a feat not seen since 1976.

Led by Mingma Sherpa, better known as Mingma G, 14 Nepali and eight foreign climbers achieved the rare feat on September 27 for the first time in 45 years. The main peak is 8,163 metres high, and the mountaineering fraternity has called it the “true summit”.

“Many foreigners have been debating if Manaslu’s main summit can be climbed in the autumn season. On September 27, we proved it,” Mingma G told the Post over the phone.

“In fact, Mt Manaslu has been climbed every year, and even reaching the fore-summit, which is just below the main summit, is accepted as a successful ascent. The main summit is 6-7 metres higher than the fore-summit, and it has never been climbed since 1976,” he said.

                             Photo courtesy: Jackson Groves' Facebook page

As the last short section, a snow-covered rock outcrop, is very steep, climbers normally do not venture there during the autumn and winter.

“It’s like a sharp knife ridge which is daunting and dangerous. So climbers normally go up to the fore-summit and return,” said Mingma G, who was one of the members of the K2 winter ascent. K2, the world's second highest mountain in Pakistan, was climbed in winter for the first time in January.

“The new route was difficult, but we did it with perfection.”

The team started their summit push from Camp 4 at 3am on September 27, and reached the summit at 9:40am.

“I hope there will be no more fore-summits in the future. Top is always Top, no more ups, everything below you,” Mingma G wrote on his Facebook page. “It was not easy. The team gathered at 8,100 metres, a place where people usually stop because they can’t climb to the summit because of the tricky ridge and risk. Then, we traversed down a little below and again climbed to the main summit,” said Mingma G.

“We explored the new route. Hopefully, it will help climbers to follow the footstep.”

                                Photo courtesy: Jackson Groves' Facebook page

Tobias Pantel, who keeps a record of every technical climb on the Himalayan Database, posted on his Facebook page: “This is a big day for Himalayan mountaineering!”

The Himalayan Database, the expedition archives of American journalist Elizabeth Hawley, is a large digital and published record of mountaineering in the Nepal Himalayas since 1903. It has congratulated Mingma G and his team on reaching the “true summit” and the highest point of Manaslu in autumn 2021.

“This is the second time this point was reached during the autumn season, and the first time since 1976,” the Himalayan Database wrote on its Facebook page.

“As this is a significant day for Himalayan mountaineering and will have implications on how the Himalayan Database will report on Manaslu summits, the team will sit together to come up with a strategy on how to deal with future and past summits of the world’s eighth highest peak.”

The Manaslu summit has been marked by real confusion over what constitutes the true summit, and who historically and currently reached it, famed mountaineer Alan Arnette said in a blog post.

                                Photo courtesy: Mount Manaslu Facebook page

One of the climbers, photographer Jackson Groves, flew a drone near the summit and captured stills and footage of the historic summit.

“For Manaslu, the issue is the last few metres to the summit is across a heavily corniced snow ridge that is virtually impossible to place protections (ice screws, pitons, etc) to protect climbers from crossing it,” he said.

“So this year, Mingma, building on his winter K2 success, wanted to make a point. This time he proved he made his true summit with the help of drone pictures and videos he shot. Instead of crossing the corniced ridge, he is shown taking a drop-down route across a 70-degree face then climbing to what apparently is the true summit. It appears genuine,” he wrote.

“Then all the other climbers who claimed a summit this season without following his path will be noted as reaching the fore-summit.”

Nepal Budget Trekking Cost 2021-2022

           NEPAL BUDGET TREKKING COST 2021-2022 SPECIAL RATES  WITH PRIVATE TRANSPORT

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

 SPECIAL NEPAL BUDGET TREKKING COST 2022 WITH PRIVATE TRANSPORT

Trekking Area: Muktinath Jomsom Trek Fly to Jomsom

Trekking Days: 12

2 Pax: $1150 Per Person.

4 Pax: $845 Per Person.  

6 Pax: $775 Per Person. 

8 Pax: $745 Per Person.       

10 Pax: $730 Per Person.

12 Pax: $725 Per Person.

15 Pax: $720 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Muktinath Jomsom Trek – Nayapul Drive

Trekking Days: 12

2 Pax: $1150 Per Person.

4 Pax: $895 Per Person.-

6 Pax: $850 Per Person.

8 Pax: $830 Per Person.

10 Pax: $820 Per Person.

12 Pax: $800 Per Person.

15 Pax: $780 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC)

Trekking Days: 14

2 Pax: $1370 Per Person.

4 Pax: $1120 Per Person.

6 Pax: $980 Per Person.

8 Pax: $880 Per Person.

10 Pax: $850 Per Person.  

12 Pax: $780 Per Person.

15 Pax: $790 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trekking Days: 10

2 Pax: $1220 Per Person.

4 Pax: $900 Per Person.  

6 Pax: $850 Per Person. 

8 Pax: $750 Per Person.       

10 Pax: $700 Per Person.

12 Pax: $650 Per Person.

15 Pax: $630 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC)

Trekking Days: 12

2 Pax: $1285 Per Person.

4 Pax: $965 Per Person. 

6 Pax: $865 Per Person.

8 Pax: $800 Per Person.

10 Pax: $780 Per Person.

12 Pax: $750 Per Person.

15 Pax: $730 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC)

Trekking Days: 13

2 Pax: $1295 Per Person.

4 Pax: $975 Per Person. -

6 Pax: $885 Per Person.

8 Pax: $875 Per Person.

10 Pax: $850 Per Person.

12 Pax: $835 Per Person.

15 Pax: $820 Per Person.

Trekking Area: EBC & GOKYO LAKE TREK

Trekking Days: 15

2 Pax: $1370 Per Person.

4 Pax: $1030 Per Person.

6 Pax: $985 Per Person.

8 Pax: $950 Per Person.

10 Pax: $915 Per Person.

12 Pax: $890 Per Person.

15 Pax: $885 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Gokyo Lake Trek

Trekking Days: 12

2 Pax: $1470 Per Person.

4 Pax: $1250 Per Person.  

6 Pax: $950 Per Person. 

8 Pax: $895 Per Person.       

10 Pax: $850 Per Person.

12 Pax: $800 Per Person.

15 Pax: $785 Per Person.

Trekking Area: PK Peak Trek (Everest view Trek)

Trekking Days: 07

2 Pax: $855 Per Person.

4 Pax: $650 Per Person.  

6 Pax: $615 Per Person. 

8 Pax: $595 Per Person.       

10 Pax: $575 Per Person.

12 Pax: $530 Per Person.

15 Pax: $500 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Annapurna Circuit Trek ( Throng La Pass)

Trekking Days: 12 ( Besishar To Jomsom-Pokhara)

2 Pax: $1250 Per Person.

4 Pax: $1050 Per Person.

6 Pax: $930 Per Person.

8 Pax: $910 Per Person.

10 Pax: $900 Per Person.

12 Pax: $880 Per Person.

15 Pax: $850 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Mustang Trek

Trekking Days: 12 (Jomsom to Jomsom)

2 Pax: $2105 Per Person.

4 Pax: $1690 Per Person.

5 Pax: $1550 Per Person.

6 Pax: $1530 Per Person.

8 Pax: $1500 Per Person.

10 Pax: $1480 Per Person.

12 Pax: $1450 Per Person.

15 Pax: $1430 Per Person.

Trekking Area: ABC Trek (7 Days)

Trekking Days: 07

2 Pax: $850 Per Person.

4 Pax: $625 Per Person.

6 Pax: $600 Per Person.

8 Pax: $580 Per Person.

10 Pax: $565 Per Person.

12 Pax: $520 Per Person.

15 Pax: $500 Per Person.

Trekking Area: Mardi Himal Trek

Trekking Days: 08 Days

2 Pax: $975 Per Person.

4 Pax: $790 Per Person.

6 Pax: $695 Per Person.

8 Pax: $600 Per Person.

10 Pax: $580 Per Person.

12 Pax: $540 Per Person.

15 Pax: $520 Per Person.

Trekking Area:  Tamang Heritage Trek

Trekking Days: 08

2 Pax: $950 Per Person.

4 Pax: $800 Per Person.  

6 Pax: $750 Per Person. 

8 Pax: $700 Per Person.       

10 Pax: $650 Per Person.

12 Pax: $585 Per Person.

15 Pax: $550 Per Person.

LANGTANG TREK- 7 DAYS TREK

2 Pax: $850 Per Person.

4 Pax: $750 Per Person.

6 Pax: $650 Per Person.

8 Pax: $550 Per Person.

10 Pax: $500 Per Person.

12 Pax: $480 Per Person.

15 Pax: $450 Per Person.

LANGTANG GOSAINKUNDA – 15 DAYS TREK

2 PAX: $1250 PER PERSON

4 PAX: $1050 PER PERSON

6 PAX: $980 PER PERSON

8 PAX: $975 PER PERSON

10 PAX: $965 PER PERSON.

12 PAX: $900 PER PERSON.

15 PAX: $ 880 PER PERSON.

Trekking Area: Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

Trekking Days: 05

2 Pax: $550 Per Person.

4 Pax: $450 Per Person.

6 Pax: $430 Per Person.

8 Pax: $400 Per Person.

10 Pax: $380 Per Person.

12 Pax: $350 Per Person.

15 Pax: $330 Per Person.

NOTE: FLIGHT TICKET IS EXTRA.

In the Above Cost It Includes:
1. Airport Pick-up and Drop Off,
2. Licensed and trained trekking guides,
3. potters for carrying goods and supplies,

4. Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) basis during the trek
5. 3 Nights Accommodation in the Star Hotel in Kathmandu with B & B. (Bed
& Breakfast) and Pokhara.
6. All accommodation during the trek.
7. All meals and hot beverages during the trek.
8. Transportation to and from trail head by Private Transport.
9. All necessary documents and permits for trekking (where applicable)
10. National Park/Conservation Area entry Permit, Insurance, and
equipment for the staffs.

11. Coordination of quick Rescue service (Costs covered by your Insurance Plan)

12. Trekking staffs wages etc.       

14. Welcome dinner in a Nepali Cultural Dance restaurant in Kathmandu.

15. Trekking Map, T-shirt, and Trekking certificate.

16. Exclusive of Medical Kit Bag

17. All Government and local Taxes

18. International Flight ticket re-confirmation.

19. Meals will be Start when your Trek starts.

Services and Cost Does not Included in Price:
1. International Airfares,
2. Travel/Trekking Insurance,
3. Excess baggage charges More than 16kg and hand bag more than 5 kg in
domestic flights.
4. Visa fees.
5. Airport Departure Taxes.
6. Drinks (Cold and Alcoholic) Rescue charge.
7. Tips for The staffs.
8. Expenses of Personnel nature and Permit and Liaison officer fee (where Applicable.
9. Meals during stay in the Kathmandu and Pokhara.

10. Domestic Ticket  of Lukla, Jomsom, Pokhara etc.

11. Extra Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Mt Everest Is Overcrowded With Climbers So Nepal Has Banned Photos of Them

                Mt Everest Is Overcrowded With Climbers So Nepal Has Banned Photos of Them

The government can ban anyone found violating tourism rules from entering the country for up to five years or from mountaineering in Nepal for ten years.

If there’s one picture of Mount Everest you remember, it is likely a viral image of a serpentine line of climbers waiting for their turn to reach the summit. 

But that may be the last of its kind after Nepal introduced earlier this month to prevent “filming, taking pictures or recording videos of things other than the expedition or mountaineering of the expedition team or team members.” 

                                                  The Picture is taken by Elia Saikaly 

The new rule is actually a clearer, reworded version of existing guidelines intended to protect the “security and reputation” of Nepal. But it goes further, just as the country gears up to welcome climbers again a year after the COVID-19 pandemic halted last year’s season. 

“Climbers are free to take photos and videos of their expedition and team members, but they cannot take photos and videos of other things that may cause controversy and hurt national integrity and social harmony,” Mira Acharya, director with the Department of Tourism, told VICE World News.

“In the past many climbers have told us that they were unaware of the rules so we had to excuse their violations. By issuing this notice, we’re making sure that expedition teams, operators and members are informed of rules and regulations before they start their expedition.”

The government can ban anyone found violating tourism strictures from entering the country for up to five years or from mountaineering in Nepal for ten years.

Home to the world’s eight highest mountains, Nepal is one of the top destinations for climbing enthusiasts. In 2019, the government earned $5.07 million in revenues from the issuance of climbing permits, of which Everest alone accounted for $4.05 million. 

While the government has justified the new protocols on grounds of better management of expeditions, critics believe that it is an attempt to control negative publicity after the viral photo of the traffic snarl at the top of the mountain.

The 2019 image taken by record-smashing climber Nirmal Purja was carried by news outlets worldwide and triggered a debate on overcrowding on Mt Everest, and whether the government was possibly prioritizing profit over climbers’ safety. The day the photo was taken, a record 223 climbers reached the summit, the highest to date. That year also recorded the highest number of deaths—10—on Everest. 

Earlier this year, Nepali authorities were caught off guard by an Indian news broadcast showing footage from Everest. In the clip, the anchor can be seen flying over the peak in a helicopter, and making arguments for India’s claim on the world’s highest mountain. The anchor later apologised after Nepalis criticised his claims. It was also revealed later that he had not obtained permission to film in the region. 

“Both these incidents along with a few others have forced the department to be more proactive when it comes to controlling content emerging out of Everest,” said journalist Sangam Prasain, who covers tourism and business for the Kathmandu Post. “Which is why they’re taking the effort to announce these rules this year even though they have been existing for many years.”

The rule is drawing flak by the climbing community for its impracticality and for the alleged failure of the government to focus on more important issues. 

Mount Everest 8848.86M by Nima Photography - Nepal 

“This decision once again paints the Nepal government in a negative light,” said Ang Chiring Sherpa, former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. “How do they plan to control what image or video people take at a time when most people have cell phones and access to social media.”

Sherpa said the government announced similar rules banning the distribution of photos and videos of others without consent back in 2008 ahead of the Beijing Olympics. 

“At the time there were some talks about cancelling all expeditions from the Nepal side to avoid any controversy on the mountain as the Olympic flame was being carried to the top of Everest from the Chinese side,” Sherpa said. 

“We requested the Nepal government to instead come up with rules that would allow us to carry on with our expeditions, and that’s what happened.”