Covid threatens Everest climbing comeback plans
More than 30 sick climbers have been evacuated from the foot of Mount
Everest, raising fears that coronavirus may scupper a hopedfor bumper season on the world’s highest mountain.
Nepal’s tourism industry suered a devastating blow last year when the pandemic prompted a complete shutdown of its summits, costing millions in lost revenue. This year authorities have eased quarantine rules in an eort to lure back foreign adventurers and have issued climbing permits to more than 400 people, a new record. An Everest permit alone costs $11,000 and climbers pay upward of $40,000 for an expedition. But the warmer weather that ushers in safer conditions for scaling Nepal’s dangerous, snowcapped peaks has coincided with a deadly second wave of Covid19 infections, with active cases in the country rising sixfold in the last two weeks. Ocials at a health clinic catering to the climbers say more than 30 people have been own o the camp in recent weeks. At least two have tested positive after returning to the capital Kathmandu, but the government has yet to conrm a single Covid case on Everest, while health professionals at the camp say they do not have the capacity to test for the disease. More than a thousand people are typically camped at the bustling tent city at the foot of Everest, including foreign climbers and the teams of Nepali guides that escort them to the peak. But the usual reverie and loud communal parties are absent this year after expedition groups were asked to keep to themselves and avoid socialising with others. Customary religious ceremonies held before an ascent to pray for a safe expedition have also been turned into quiet and private aairs.