No solo mountain climbs, Nepal says

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal has banned solo climbers on its mountains, including Mount Everest, to promote safety and reduce accidents, an official said Saturday.

“The mountains in Nepal are unique, and it’s always better for climbers to go with guides,” said the official, Santa Bir Lama, who is president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. “This is good for their own safety.”

Nepal, a Himalayan nation between India and China, has eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, including Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Alpinists from all over the world pay tens of thousands of dollars for climbing permits and Sherpa guides.

But some people try to climb the country’s mountains on their own. Maheshwor Neupane, secretary of Nepal’s Ministry of Culture and Civil Aviation, said the new rules, which were introduced Thursday, require that all climbers be accompanied by guides.

The ban will start soon, he said, and should apply to the spring climbing season.

Climbers with physical disabilities will also be required to obtain health clearance from their doctors before the tourism ministry issues climbing permits, Neupane added.

Accidents are common on Nepal’s peaks, with avalanches, blizzards and complications from altitude sickness killing climbers every year.