Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal has issued a record 492 permits to climb Mt Everest this spring, as climbers flocked to the Nepali side after China closed the world’s highest peak from Tibet for the season.
Expedition operators said the closure of Everest from the northern side significantly boosted demand for climbing permits in Nepal, pushing this year’s numbers beyond the previous record of 478 permits issued in spring 2023. The number excludes Nepali mountain guides who also accompany their clients to the summit. A record 667 reached the summit in 2023 when only 478 permits were issued.
According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), climbers from 55 countries have received permits to attempt Everest from the Nepali side this season. Chinese climbers, with 109 permits, represent the largest group of Everest hopefuls this season. The United States ranks second with 76 climbers, followed by India with 61. The United Kingdom, Russia, and Australia account for 32, 18, and 15 climbers, respectively.
The latest figure surpasses the previous record of 478 permits issued in the spring of 2023. The number had fallen to 422 in 2024 before climbing again to 468 last year.
There, however, are fears that the delayed opening of the summit route, combined with the record number of climbers, could lead to crowding in the narrow sections near the summit during the short weather windows typically in the second half of May.
Rope-fixing work towards the summit was slowed after a massive serac, estimated to be around 30 meters high, blocked the route through the Khumbu Icefall and delayed the opening of the path to Camp I. Last year, ropes to the summit had already been fixed by May 8, allowing climbers to make a summit push from May 9. This year, the rope-fixing team reached the South Col only on Saturday, according to expedition operator Imagine Nepal, which is assisting the team.
The Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOAN) has appointed 8K Expeditions to manage rope-fixing operations on Everest and Lhotse for the spring climbing season.
Meanwhile, the government has mobilized a record revenue from mountaineering this year. According to the DoT, Rs 1.24 billion has been collected in mountaineering royalties this spring. This includes Rs 1.07 billion from Everest permits alone.
The increase in revenue has been driven not only by the record number of climbers but also by the government’s decision to raise the Everest permit fee from $11,000 to $15,000 in September last year.
