An unprecedented global record was set yesterday Wednesday (20/5) on Mount Everest, as 274 climbers managed to reach the world’s highest summit within just 24 hours from the Nepal side. This impressive number breaks the previous record of 223 ascents, which had stood since May 22, 2019. Moreover, the final count is expected to increase further once the registration of all climbers at the central supply station is completed.
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New historic record for daily summit attempts
This year’s surge on the Nepalese side is partly due to China’s decision not to issue any climbing permits from its side (Tibet). Under normal conditions, this route attracts approximately 100 climbers during the spring season (April-May), who this year did not have the opportunity to start from Chinese territory.
Currently, local authorities are in the verification phase. As officials from Nepal’s Tourism Board explained, initial estimates showed more than 250 successful attempts. However, to finalize the record and issue official summit certificates, examination of photographic evidence and other proof from the climbers themselves is still pending.
For this season, Nepal issued a total of 494 permits, with each costing $15,000, bringing significant revenue to the country. However, the commercialization of the mountain provokes strong reactions within the climbing community. Experts have been warning for years about the deadly dangers hidden in overcrowding at the so-called “death zone” – the area near the 8,849-meter summit where oxygen is minimal and delays in human queues can prove fatal.
Responding to these concerns, Nepal’s government has begun implementing stricter evaluation criteria for climbers, while simultaneously increasing permit costs, aiming to limit the presence of inexperienced mountaineers on the mountain.
