Nepal closes access to Mt Everest
Mount Everest climbs are officially suspended for the season after Nepal barred climbers from all mountains.
Nepal followed China’s decision to close the Tibet side of mount Everest last week.
It is a blow for the tourism industry and expedition organisers said it would lead to major financial pain.
"This is disappointing news for both our expedition leaders and our clients who have trained for months for this year’s climb," said Lukas Furtenbach, head of US-based Furtenbach Adventures.
The thin air at altitude is a major concern for anyone with the virus, and could be life threatening.
Everest attracts hundreds of elite mountaineers each spring, and Everest permits are a money-spinner for Nepal.
Last year saw a record 885 climb Everest, with about two-thirds from the Nepal side.
Permits alone cost $11,000 and the total cost of an Everest climb is at least $30,000.
"The government has decided to suspend all spring expeditions and scrap permits for the time being. The decision can be reviewed after analysing the global scenario over the coming month," tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai told AFP.
According to Santa Bir Lama, president of Nepal’s mountaineering association, the suspension will have a ‘devastating’ effect on the country’s tourism and the thousands of jobs it generates.
"Companies will suffer and workers even more but it is a responsible thing to do considering the risks," Lama said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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