Mountain climbers of all stripes, rejoice! If you’ve ever wanted to climb Mount Everest, you might soon get your chance. Nepal, where climbers access the peak, has issued a record amount of permits this year, CNN reports.
It’s worth noting that very few of the climbers who have done Everest successfully are Black. However, in May 2022, seven members of the Full Circle Everest team made history as the first Black group to conquer the mountain.
Who Has Been Granted Permits To Climb Mount Everest?
So far, 463 climbers have been given permits to climb Everest from Nepal’s side. Nepal shares the famous peak with Tibet.
367 men and 96 women have been approved, most of whom are American or Chinese. Along with Sherpa guides, they’ll take two weeks to hike to the base camp at 17,000 feet. Once they adjust to the altitude, they can gradually make their way to the top, when conditions are optimal.
CNN explains, “There’s a small window in May when temperatures are warmer, and the high-altitude winds known as the jet stream have moved away from the mountain.”
Overcrowding Is A Concern
As if there aren’t enough dangers associated with Everest, overcrowding could be a problem.
In past years, dozens have waited in line near the summit, in a perilous area known as the Death Zone. To try and thin out the crowds, Nepal intends to set up as many ropes as possible.
Dangers Aside, Everest Is The King Of Mountains
For ages, Everest has fascinated mountaineers from around the world, though it isn’t without its dangers. It isn’t like the Pitons in St. Lucia, or Breakneck Ridge in New York, which can be done casually, and without any gear. You have to be conditioned and prepared to even attempt Everest.
What are the dangers? Firstly, there are the unpredictable ways of Mother Nature. The weather can be ideal one moment, and change in an instant. There’s a chance of falling or slipping. Altitude sickness can bring on headaches and nausea.
According to Live Science, “altitude sickness can also lead to pulmonary or cerebral edemas, which are buildups of fluid in the lungs and brain, respectively.”
Factors such as general fitness, lung capacity, age, and speed of ascent can all play a role in whether you get altitude sickness and how severe it will be.
Some Have Perished On Mount Everest And Their Bodies Remain There
According to Climber News, “Mount Everest has a grim reputation and a terrible record for the most deaths on a mountain.”
Approximately 300 people died on Everest, and some of the bodies are still there due to the potential dangers of trying to transport them to flat ground.
There’s also been controversy concerning climbers in distress. One climber, David Sharp, froze to death in 2006 while trying to summit alone. According to All That’s Interesting, “Of the 40 or so people who passed him while he was clinging to life, none of them stopped.”
The most recent reported death was that of Dr. Jonathan Sugarman on May 1, 2023.
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