Mt. Everest to face ‘traffic jam’ this climbing season

Mt. Everest is facing the risk of a ‘traffic jam’ this season as it braces a surging number of mountaineering expedition teams.

According to the Tourism Department, there are more climbers this season as compared to the last year. High Altitude Worker, Pemba Dorje Sherpa, warned of the risk of a traffic jam at Everest this climbing season due to high number of aspiring climbers, reports the Himalayan Times.

The expedition teams arrive a month before at the Everest Base Camp to acclimatize before climbing the highest peak in mid-May if the weather permits.

The weather is one of the most significant factors and so the climbers jostle to climb upwards from camp 2, 3 and 4 during favourable weather conditions inevitably leading to risk of crowding. Many climbers, who had taken permission in 2014 when an avalanche struck Everest, are also allowed to join the climb this year, partially resulting in high number of climbers.

In 2015, the government introduced a new law allowing the climbers a threeyear window to climb Mt. Everest with a single permit and fare.

According to the Tourism Department, this year 267 climbers have already started the trek from Namche to EBC and with more climbers coming in, the chances of the number tipping over 400 is high.

As there will be more high altitude workers accompanying the climbers, it is estimated that around 1,000 individuals will reach the peak this season.