Two Indian climbers have died on Mount Everest as the peak sees a record-breaking season on Nepal's southern route, with experts warning of dangerous overcrowding on the world's highest mountain.
Nepal is home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring. At least five climbers have died this Everest season, including two Indians and three Nepalis. Earlier this month, an American and a Czech climber died on Mount Makalu.
According to Nivesh Karki, director of Pioneer Adventures, the latest victims are Sandeep Are, who summited on May 20, and Arun Kumar Tiwari, who reached the top on May 21. "They fell ill while descending at high altitude. We are working to bring the bodies down," Karki told AFP.
Nepali record-holder Kami Rita Sherpa, who scaled Everest for the 32nd time earlier this month and returned to Kathmandu on Friday, voiced concern about the experience level of some climbers: "This expedition felt a bit crowded. The government should manage this issue... They should only allow quality climbers – there needs to be a limit."
Photos posted by climbers show a long line of people ascending fixed ropes, queuing in the freezing, oxygen-starved high-altitude zone.
According to tourism officials, a record number of climbers reached the 8,849-meter summit from Nepal on Thursday, with a preliminary count of 275 awaiting final confirmation. The mountain can be climbed from both Nepal and the northern side in Tibet, but China closed the northern route this year.
According to Guinness World Records, the highest number of people to climb Everest in a single day was 354 in May 2019. Nepali tourism officials said the final number will be compiled after verifying ascents through photos and confirmation from expedition companies and guides.
Among those who successfully summited on Friday was British guide Kenton Cool, who reached the top for the 20th time, extending his own record for the most Everest ascents by a non-Nepali.
The high number of climbers has raised concerns about overcrowding on the mountain – especially if bad weather shortens the climbing window. Nepal has issued a record 492 Everest permits to foreigners this season, with tent cities springing up at the base for climbers and support staff. About 600 people – including guides – have reached the Everest summit since the start of the spring climbing season in April.
