Nepal to demand experience for Everest climbers in new safety push

Aspiring to conquer the world’s highest peak? Nepal says not so fast – you’ll need a 7,000-metre climb in the country under your belt first

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A mountaineer holds on to a rope during an ice climbing session at Everest Base Camp in Nepal earlier this month. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:22pm, 29 Apr 2025

Nepal will issue Everest permits only to climbers with experience of scaling at least one of the Himalayan nation’s 7,000-metre (22,965ft) peaks, according to the draft of a new law aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving safety.

Nepal, which is heavily reliant on climbing, trekking and tourism for foreign exchange, has faced criticism for permitting too many climbers, including inexperienced ones, to try to ascend the 8,849-metre (29,032ft) peak.

This often results in long queues of climbers in the ‘Death Zone’, an area below the summit with insufficient natural oxygen for survival.

Overcrowding has been blamed for the high number of deaths on the mountain. At least 12 climbers died, and another five went missing on Everest’s slopes in 2023 when Nepal issued 478 permits. Eight climbers died last year.

Prayer flags frame a rescue helicopter as it transport injured people from Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Photo: AFP

Under the proposed law, an Everest permit would be issued only after a climber provides evidence of having climbed at least one 7,000-metre mountain in Nepal.