In Pics | Nepali sherpa saves Malaysian climber in rare Everest 'death zone' rescue

There is rising anxiety about temperatures as the climbing community gets ready to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ascent of Mount Everest. The world's tallest peak is seeing either rising glacier melting or increasingly severe and unreliable weather.

Study: Highest glacier on Everest melting at alarming rate

The Himalayan Mountains are home to Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth. At over 8,500 metres above sea level, it was first scaled by humans in 1953. Since then, there has been no going back as an increasing number of mountaineers attempt to reach the top, but lately a British climber stated that the snow-capped mountain is rapidly losing its snow cover, and that it is now turning dry and rocky.

British climber claims Everest is becoming 'dry and rocky'

Three Nepali sherpa guides went missing after an avalanche swept and buried them in a crevasse on Wednesday (April 12), as per a Tourism Department official. The avalanche hit the most popular Southeast Ridge route to the summit of the world’s tallest mountain.

The three guides were ferrying climbing gear to their clients. They were caught at an unspecified site between the Base Camp and Camp 1.

The Everest Base Camp, which turns into a tented city during the March-May climbing season, is located at an altitude of about 5,350 metres (17,552 feet) and Camp I is pitched across the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, the first major physical hurdle to the peak, at an altitude of about 6,050 metres (19,850 feet).

Watch | 3 Nepali Sherpas go missing on Mount Everest

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"A block of snow fell and buried them," Tourism Department official Yubaraj Khatiwada told Reuters.

The avalanche was the first disaster during this year's climbing season.

Mount Everest was first climbed by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his climbing mate Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

Thousands of climbers have scaled the peak since then and about 300 climbers have perished on its slopes so far.

Khatiwada said a search helicopter had been mobilised for the sherpas who are believed to have been buried in a 50 metre (164 feet) crevasse.

A ground search team also failed to locate the missing climbers so far, Khatiwada said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Three Nepali sherpa guides went missing after an avalanche swept and buried them in a crevasse on Wednesday (April 12), as per a Tourism Department official. The avalanche hit the most popular Southeast Ridge route to the summit of the world’s tallest mountain.

Three Nepali sherpa guides went missing after an avalanche swept and buried them in a crevasse on Wednesday (April 12), as per a Tourism Department official. The avalanche hit the most popular Southeast Ridge route to the summit of the world’s tallest mountain. The three guides were ferrying climbing gear to their clients. They were caught at an unspecified site between the Base Camp and Camp 1. The Everest Base Camp, which turns into a tented city during the March-May climbing season, is located at an altitude of about 5,350 metres (17,552 feet) and Camp I is pitched across the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, the first major physical hurdle to the peak, at an altitude of about 6,050 metres (19,850 feet). Watch | 3 Nepali Sherpas go missing on Mount Everest × "A block of snow fell and buried them," Tourism Department official Yubaraj Khatiwada told Reuters. The avalanche was the first disaster during this year's climbing season. Mount Everest was first climbed by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his climbing mate Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Thousands of climbers have scaled the peak since then and about 300 climbers have perished on its slopes so far. Khatiwada said a search helicopter had been mobilised for the sherpas who are believed to have been buried in a 50 metre (164 feet) crevasse. A ground search team also failed to locate the missing climbers so far, Khatiwada said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Avalanche buries three sherpa climbers on Mount Everest, search underway

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Search underway for 3 Nepali climbers who fell into crevasse on Everest

Nepal has decided to move the Everest base camp due to global warming and human activity. The move will be completed by 2024. Khumbu glacier is rapidly thinning out.

Nepal to move Everest base camp: Global warming, human activity to blame

A study has revealed that Mount Everest is melting faster than expected due to Global Warming and strong winds.

A Study reveals that Mount Everest is melting faster than expected due to Global Warming

There is nothing that women cannot do and a former Hong Kong schoolteacher has proved this while setting a world record.

Tsang Yin-hung became the fastest woman to ascend Mount Everest by finishing the climb in merely 25 hours and 50 minutes, an official announced.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icelandic-duo-scale-everest-despite-covid-infection-388206" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icelandic-duo-scale-everest-despite-covid-infection-388206&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjn2-LNsvHwAhXk8XMBHSo6AzwQFjADegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1wZGDSf-1ilXjdXXBT-vho" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icelandic-duo-scale-everest-despite-covid-infection-388206" target="_blank">Icelandic duo scale&nbsp;Everest&nbsp;despite Covid infection</a>

The 44-year-old reached the summit on May 23 and expressed happiness and relief on achieving her dreams after training for almost four years.

"I am... relaxed and happy because I set this target around four years before," she said. "I have always shared with my students and my friends that if you aim high and expect high, you can achieve high."

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/guide-over-100-virus-cases-on-everest-despite-nepal-denials-386894" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/guide-over-100-virus-cases-on-everest-despite-nepal-denials-386894&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjn2-LNsvHwAhXk8XMBHSo6AzwQFjAFegQIBxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0q_nqKHHc5QBtNaxYyvkx4" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/guide-over-100-virus-cases-on-everest-despite-nepal-denials-386894" target="_blank">Guide: Over 100 virus cases on&nbsp;Everest&nbsp;despite Nepal denials</a>

This was not the first time Tsang had attempted this climb. Earlier, in May, she tried to reach the summit but had to abandon her plans at 8,755 metres due to bad weather. However, she decided not to give up and returned to achieve her dream.

Tsang started training as a mountaineer when she was 11 years old as sports was the only thing she had easy access to and therefore, she found joy in it.

"When I was young I used to run on the mountains, play basketball and do other sports," she recalled.

(With inputs from agencies)

There is nothing that women cannot do and a former Hong Kong schoolteacher has proved this while setting a world record. Tsang Yin-hung became the fastest woman to ascend Mount Everest by finishing the climb in merely 25 hours and 50 minutes, an official announced.

There is nothing that women cannot do and a former Hong Kong schoolteacher has proved this while setting a world record. Tsang Yin-hung became the fastest woman to ascend Mount Everest by finishing the climb in merely 25 hours and 50 minutes, an official announced. Also read | Icelandic duo scale Everest despite Covid infection The 44-year-old reached the summit on May 23 and expressed happiness and relief on achieving her dreams after training for almost four years. "I am... relaxed and happy because I set this target around four years before," she said. "I have always shared with my students and my friends that if you aim high and expect high, you can achieve high." Also read | Guide: Over 100 virus cases on Everest despite Nepal denials This was not the first time Tsang had attempted this climb. Earlier, in May, she tried to reach the summit but had to abandon her plans at 8,755 metres due to bad weather. However, she decided not to give up and returned to achieve her dream. Tsang started training as a mountaineer when she was 11 years old as sports was the only thing she had easy access to and therefore, she found joy in it. "When I was young I used to run on the mountains, play basketball and do other sports," she recalled. (With inputs from agencies)

'Aim high': Hong Kong teacher sets record for fastest Everest climb

Two Icelanders managed to climb Mount Everest despite having contracted coronavirus and even though Nepalese authorities insisted there have been no virus cases on the world's highest peak.&nbsp;

The two climbers, Sigurdur Sveinsson and Heimir Hallgrimsson, began coughing and suspected they had caught the virus as they reached around 7,000 metres (about 23,000 feet), they wrote in a message published on Thursday in which they described their perilous descent to base camp.&nbsp;

"At this time and this place, there was no way to get tested," the pair wrote on the website of Umhyggja, an Icelandic aid organisation that helps children with long-term illnesses and for which the pair were raising funds.&nbsp;

The two had tested negative for the virus before beginning their ascent.&nbsp;

"Since we were feeling fine then, we saw no reason to change our plans," they said. &nbsp;

The pair reached the summit, at 8,849 metres on Monday at 4:30 am local time (Sunday at 2245 GMT).&nbsp;

"During the descent, we both began to suffer from increasing fatigue, coughs and discomfort," they said. &nbsp;

"When we left Camp 2, it was clear that Siggi's (Sigurdur's) lungs were very bad and we had to resort to oxygen."&nbsp;

Despite the difficulties, they managed to reach base camp on Wednesday, where tests confirmed they were infected with COVID-19.&nbsp;

In recent weeks, more than 30 climbers have been evacuated from base camp due to illness.&nbsp;

Other than the Icelanders, at least three other climbers have said publicly or told AFP that they have been infected with COVID-19. The total number of cases is not known.&nbsp;

Nepal officials have denied that there have been any cases of the virus on Everest.&nbsp;

Two Icelanders managed to climb Mount Everest despite having contracted coronavirus and even though Nepalese authorities insisted there have been no virus cases on the world's highest peak.

Two Icelanders managed to climb Mount Everest despite having contracted coronavirus and even though Nepalese authorities insisted there have been no virus cases on the world's highest peak. The two climbers, Sigurdur Sveinsson and Heimir Hallgrimsson, began coughing and suspected they had caught the virus as they reached around 7,000 metres (about 23,000 feet), they wrote in a message published on Thursday in which they described their perilous descent to base camp. "At this time and this place, there was no way to get tested," the pair wrote on the website of Umhyggja, an Icelandic aid organisation that helps children with long-term illnesses and for which the pair were raising funds. The two had tested negative for the virus before beginning their ascent. "Since we were feeling fine then, we saw no reason to change our plans," they said. The pair reached the summit, at 8,849 metres on Monday at 4:30 am local time (Sunday at 2245 GMT). "During the descent, we both began to suffer from increasing fatigue, coughs and discomfort," they said. "When we left Camp 2, it was clear that Siggi's (Sigurdur's) lungs were very bad and we had to resort to oxygen." Despite the difficulties, they managed to reach base camp on Wednesday, where tests confirmed they were infected with COVID-19. In recent weeks, more than 30 climbers have been evacuated from base camp due to illness. Other than the Icelanders, at least three other climbers have said publicly or told AFP that they have been infected with COVID-19. The total number of cases is not known. Nepal officials have denied that there have been any cases of the virus on Everest.

Icelandic duo scale Everest despite Covid infection 

A coronavirus outbreak on Mount Everest has infected at least 100 climbers and support staff, an expert mountaineering guide said, giving the first comprehensive estimate amid official Nepalese denials that the disease has spread to the world's highest peak.&nbsp;

Lukas Furtenbach of Austria, who last week became the only prominent outfitter to halt his Everest expedition due to virus fears, said on Saturday one of his foreign guides and six Nepali Sherpa guides have tested positive.&nbsp;

"I think with all the confirmed cases, we know now confirmed from (rescue) pilots, from insurance, from doctors, from expedition leaders. I have the positive tests so we can prove this," Furtenbach said in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.&nbsp;

"We have at least 100 people positive for Covid in base camp, and then the numbers might be something like 150 or 200," he said.&nbsp;

He said it was obvious there were many cases at the Everest base camp because he could visibly see people were sick, and could hear people coughing in their tents.&nbsp;

A total of 408 foreign climbers were issued permits to climb Everest this season, aided by several hundred Sherpas and support staff, who've been stationed at base camp since April.&nbsp;

Nepalese mountaineering officials have denied there are any active cases this season among climbers and support staff at all base camps for the country's Himalayan mountains. Mountaineering was closed last year due to the pandemic.&nbsp;

Nepalese officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday. Other climbing teams have not announced any COVID-19 infections among their members or staff. Several climbers have reported testing positive after they were brought down from the Everest base camp.&nbsp;

Furtenbach said most teams on the mountain were not carrying virus testing kits, and that before his team pulled out, they had helped conduct tests and had confirmed two cases.&nbsp;

Most teams are still at base camp, hoping for clear weather next week so they can make a final push to the summit before the climbing season closes at the end of the month, Furtenbach said.&nbsp;

In late April, a Norwegian climber became the first to test positive at the Everest base camp. He was flown by helicopter to Kathmandu, where he was treated and later returned home.&nbsp;

Nepal is experiencing a virus surge, with record numbers of new infections and deaths. China last week canceled climbing from its side of Mount Everest due to fears the virus could be spread from the Nepalese side.&nbsp;

Nepal reported 8,607 new infections and 177 deaths on Friday, bringing the nation's totals since the pandemic began to more than 497,000 infections and 6,024 deaths. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A coronavirus outbreak on Mount Everest has infected at least 100 climbers and support staff, an expert mountaineering guide said, giving the first comprehensive estimate amid official Nepalese denials that the disease has spread to the world's highest peak.

A coronavirus outbreak on Mount Everest has infected at least 100 climbers and support staff, an expert mountaineering guide said, giving the first comprehensive estimate amid official Nepalese denials that the disease has spread to the world's highest peak. Lukas Furtenbach of Austria, who last week became the only prominent outfitter to halt his Everest expedition due to virus fears, said on Saturday one of his foreign guides and six Nepali Sherpa guides have tested positive. "I think with all the confirmed cases, we know now confirmed from (rescue) pilots, from insurance, from doctors, from expedition leaders. I have the positive tests so we can prove this," Furtenbach said in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. "We have at least 100 people positive for Covid in base camp, and then the numbers might be something like 150 or 200," he said. He said it was obvious there were many cases at the Everest base camp because he could visibly see people were sick, and could hear people coughing in their tents. A total of 408 foreign climbers were issued permits to climb Everest this season, aided by several hundred Sherpas and support staff, who've been stationed at base camp since April. Nepalese mountaineering officials have denied there are any active cases this season among climbers and support staff at all base camps for the country's Himalayan mountains. Mountaineering was closed last year due to the pandemic. Nepalese officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Saturday. Other climbing teams have not announced any COVID-19 infections among their members or staff. Several climbers have reported testing positive after they were brought down from the Everest base camp. Furtenbach said most teams on the mountain were not carrying virus testing kits, and that before his team pulled out, they had helped conduct tests and had confirmed two cases. Most teams are still at base camp, hoping for clear weather next week so they can make a final push to the summit before the climbing season closes at the end of the month, Furtenbach said. In late April, a Norwegian climber became the first to test positive at the Everest base camp. He was flown by helicopter to Kathmandu, where he was treated and later returned home. Nepal is experiencing a virus surge, with record numbers of new infections and deaths. China last week canceled climbing from its side of Mount Everest due to fears the virus could be spread from the Nepalese side. Nepal reported 8,607 new infections and 177 deaths on Friday, bringing the nation's totals since the pandemic began to more than 497,000 infections and 6,024 deaths. (With inputs from agencies)

Guide: Over 100 virus cases on Everest despite Nepal denials 

China has decided to cancel the 2021 spring climbing season from the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, because of coronavirus concerns, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.

It cited a notice on Friday from the General Administration of Sport, following a severe pandemic situation.

The Himalayan nation of Nepal, which is so short of oxygen canisters it has asked mountaineers to bring back their empties, has issued a record 408 permits to climb Everest in the April-May season after last year's closure.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-mt-everest-climbers-show-symptoms-officials-dismiss-reports-of-possible-outbreak-383235">COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak</a>

In contrast, a total of 21 Chinese climbers had secured approval for climbs in spring, Xinhua added.

Last Sunday, state media said China would establish "a line of separation" at the summit of Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-to-create-line-of-separation-at-everest-summit-on-covid-fears-383921">China to create 'line of separation' at Everest summit on COVID fears</a>

Everest has been scaled by more than 6,000 climbers since the first conquest by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. At least 311 people have died on the slopes of the mountain, which is 8,849 metres (29,032 ft) high.

China has decided to cancel the 2021 spring climbing season from the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, because of coronavirus concerns, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.

China has decided to cancel the 2021 spring climbing season from the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, because of coronavirus concerns, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday. It cited a notice on Friday from the General Administration of Sport, following a severe pandemic situation. The Himalayan nation of Nepal, which is so short of oxygen canisters it has asked mountaineers to bring back their empties, has issued a record 408 permits to climb Everest in the April-May season after last year's closure. Also read | COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak In contrast, a total of 21 Chinese climbers had secured approval for climbs in spring, Xinhua added. Last Sunday, state media said China would establish "a line of separation" at the summit of Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure. Also read | China to create 'line of separation' at Everest summit on COVID fears Everest has been scaled by more than 6,000 climbers since the first conquest by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. At least 311 people have died on the slopes of the mountain, which is 8,849 metres (29,032 ft) high.

China cancels Everest spring climbing over coronavirus worries

Two climbers from the United States and Switzerland have died on Mount Everest, the first fatalities of this year's season, expedition organisers in Nepal said Thursday.

On average around five climbers die every year on the world's highest peak.

But in recent seasons, Everest has seen a surge in the number of climbers, leading to overcrowding that has been blamed for multiple deaths.

"Two climbers passed away on Wednesday," Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks told AFP.

Have a look |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/an-inspiration-nepals-kami-rita-sherpa-ascents-mt-everest-for-record-25th-time-amid-pandemic-383644">An inspiration: Nepal's Kami Rita Sherpa ascents Mt Everest for record 25th time amid pandemic</a>

Swiss climber Abdul Waraich, 40, died near the summit after reaching the top and suffering exhaustion, said Chhang Dawa Sherpa from the same organisation.

"We sent two additional Sherpas with oxygen and foods, unfortunately Sherpas couldn't save him," he said on Instagram.

American Puwei Liu, 55, reached the Hillary Step but was helped back down after he suffered snow blindness and exhaustion, organisers said.

He was able to reach Camp 4, "before he suddenly passed away" late Wednesday, Chhang Dawa Sherpa said.

Eleven people died climbing the world's highest peak in 2019, with four deaths blamed on overcrowding.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-draws-separation-line-on-everest-peak-384185">Watch |</a>&nbsp;

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On one day, 354 people were lined up to reach the top from Nepal's southern side and Tibet's northern approach.

To ease the crowding Nepal's tourism ministry announced rules capping the number of people who can summit the mountain per window of suitable weather.

Expedition organisers have been told to send teams up the peak strictly in accordance with permit numbers or limit the number of climbers going up at one time.

Record number of permits

The coronavirus pandemic wiped out last year's season, but Nepal has eased quarantine rules to attract more climbers despite the difficulties of treating them if they contract the virus.

Nepal has issued 408 climbing permits this season, topping the previous record of 381 in 2019.

A city of tents hosting more than 1,000 people — foreign climbers and support staff — has built up at the foot of Everest and the hotels along the trek are back in business.

The warmer weather that ushers in safer conditions for scaling Nepal's dangerous, snow-capped peaks has coincided with a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections.

In recent weeks more than 30 sick climbers have been evacuated from base camp although only three have been confirmed as having had coronavirus.

The usual communal parties are absent this year at base camps after expedition groups were asked to keep to themselves and avoid socialising with others.&nbsp;

Breathing is already difficult at high altitudes so any coronavirus outbreak among climbing groups could pose severe health risks.

On Sunday Chinese state media reported that authorities would set up a "separation line" on the peak of Mount Everest to avoid possible Covid-19 infections by climbers from virus-hit Nepal.

The world's highest peak straddles the China-Nepal border, with the north slope belonging to China.&nbsp;

Tibetan authorities told reporters they would take the "most stringent epidemic prevention measures" to avoid contact between climbers on the north and south slopes or at the top, reported the official Xinhua news agency.

Guides would set up dividing lines on the summit before allowing mountaineers to start the gruelling climb up, the head of the Tibet Mountaineering Association was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

China has banned foreign nationals from climbing Everest since last year due to the virus outbreak.

Two climbers from the United States and Switzerland have died on Mount Everest, the first fatalities of this year's season, expedition organisers in Nepal said Thursday.

Two climbers from the United States and Switzerland have died on Mount Everest, the first fatalities of this year's season, expedition organisers in Nepal said Thursday. On average around five climbers die every year on the world's highest peak. But in recent seasons, Everest has seen a surge in the number of climbers, leading to overcrowding that has been blamed for multiple deaths. "Two climbers passed away on Wednesday," Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks told AFP. Have a look | An inspiration: Nepal's Kami Rita Sherpa ascents Mt Everest for record 25th time amid pandemic Swiss climber Abdul Waraich, 40, died near the summit after reaching the top and suffering exhaustion, said Chhang Dawa Sherpa from the same organisation. "We sent two additional Sherpas with oxygen and foods, unfortunately Sherpas couldn't save him," he said on Instagram. American Puwei Liu, 55, reached the Hillary Step but was helped back down after he suffered snow blindness and exhaustion, organisers said. He was able to reach Camp 4, "before he suddenly passed away" late Wednesday, Chhang Dawa Sherpa said. Eleven people died climbing the world's highest peak in 2019, with four deaths blamed on overcrowding. Watch | On one day, 354 people were lined up to reach the top from Nepal's southern side and Tibet's northern approach. To ease the crowding Nepal's tourism ministry announced rules capping the number of people who can summit the mountain per window of suitable weather. Expedition organisers have been told to send teams up the peak strictly in accordance with permit numbers or limit the number of climbers going up at one time. Record number of permits The coronavirus pandemic wiped out last year's season, but Nepal has eased quarantine rules to attract more climbers despite the difficulties of treating them if they contract the virus. Nepal has issued 408 climbing permits this season, topping the previous record of 381 in 2019. A city of tents hosting more than 1,000 people — foreign climbers and support staff — has built up at the foot of Everest and the hotels along the trek are back in business. The warmer weather that ushers in safer conditions for scaling Nepal's dangerous, snow-capped peaks has coincided with a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections. In recent weeks more than 30 sick climbers have been evacuated from base camp although only three have been confirmed as having had coronavirus. The usual communal parties are absent this year at base camps after expedition groups were asked to keep to themselves and avoid socialising with others. Breathing is already difficult at high altitudes so any coronavirus outbreak among climbing groups could pose severe health risks. On Sunday Chinese state media reported that authorities would set up a "separation line" on the peak of Mount Everest to avoid possible Covid-19 infections by climbers from virus-hit Nepal. The world's highest peak straddles the China-Nepal border, with the north slope belonging to China. Tibetan authorities told reporters they would take the "most stringent epidemic prevention measures" to avoid contact between climbers on the north and south slopes or at the top, reported the official Xinhua news agency. Guides would set up dividing lines on the summit before allowing mountaineers to start the gruelling climb up, the head of the Tibet Mountaineering Association was quoted as saying by Xinhua. China has banned foreign nationals from climbing Everest since last year due to the virus outbreak.

Two foreign climbers die on Everest

China will set up "a line of separation" at the summit of Mount Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from COVID-hit Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure, Chinese state media reported on Sunday.

Everest base camp on the Nepalese side has been hit by coronavirus cases since late April. The Nepalese government, starved of tourism revenue, has yet to cancel the spring climbing season, usually from April to early June before the monsoon rains.

It was not immediately clear how the line would be enforced on the summit, a tiny, perilous and inhospitable area the size of a dining table.

A small team of Tibetan climbing guides will ascend Everest and set up the "line of separation" at the summit to stop any contact between mountaineers from both sides of the peak, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the head of Tibet's sports bureau.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-mt-everest-climbers-show-symptoms-officials-dismiss-reports-of-possible-outbreak-383235">COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak</a>

A group of 21 Chinese nationals are en route to the summit on the Tibetan side, Xinhua reported.

The Tibetan guides will set up the separation line ahead of their arrival, the state-run news agency said, without describing what the line would look like.

It was also unclear whether the Tibetan guides would be the ones enforcing the "separation", or whether they would remain in the so-called death zone, where many lives have been lost due to a dearth of oxygen, to hold the line.

The top of the 8,848-metre peak is a small mound of snow with barely enough space for half a dozen climbers and guides at any one time.

China has not allowed any foreign climbers to ascend from the Tibetan side since the outbreak of the new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> last year due to infection concerns.

Tourists in the Everest scenic area in Tibet are also banned from visiting the base camp on the Tibetan side.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-reports-record-high-covid-19-cases-govt-warns-about-hospital-beds-shortage-382017">Nepal reports record high COVID-19 cases; Govt warns about hospital beds shortage</a>

Mainland China on Sunday reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on May 8 - all of which involved travellers arriving from overseas - up from seven a day earlier. Nepal reported 9,023 new cases on Friday, the country's biggest one-day increase.

China will set up "a line of separation" at the summit of Mount Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from COVID-hit Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure, Chinese state media reported on Sunday.

China will set up "a line of separation" at the summit of Mount Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from COVID-hit Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure, Chinese state media reported on Sunday. Everest base camp on the Nepalese side has been hit by coronavirus cases since late April. The Nepalese government, starved of tourism revenue, has yet to cancel the spring climbing season, usually from April to early June before the monsoon rains. It was not immediately clear how the line would be enforced on the summit, a tiny, perilous and inhospitable area the size of a dining table. A small team of Tibetan climbing guides will ascend Everest and set up the "line of separation" at the summit to stop any contact between mountaineers from both sides of the peak, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the head of Tibet's sports bureau. Also read | COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak A group of 21 Chinese nationals are en route to the summit on the Tibetan side, Xinhua reported. The Tibetan guides will set up the separation line ahead of their arrival, the state-run news agency said, without describing what the line would look like. It was also unclear whether the Tibetan guides would be the ones enforcing the "separation", or whether they would remain in the so-called death zone, where many lives have been lost due to a dearth of oxygen, to hold the line. The top of the 8,848-metre peak is a small mound of snow with barely enough space for half a dozen climbers and guides at any one time. China has not allowed any foreign climbers to ascend from the Tibetan side since the outbreak of the new coronavirus last year due to infection concerns. Tourists in the Everest scenic area in Tibet are also banned from visiting the base camp on the Tibetan side. Also read | Nepal reports record high COVID-19 cases; Govt warns about hospital beds shortage Mainland China on Sunday reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on May 8 - all of which involved travellers arriving from overseas - up from seven a day earlier. Nepal reported 9,023 new cases on Friday, the country's biggest one-day increase.

China to create 'line of separation' at Everest summit on COVID fears

A coronavirus state of&nbsp;emergency&nbsp;in Tokyo and other parts of&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;was extended on Friday, less than three months before the Olympics, as&nbsp;India&nbsp;logged yet another record number of infections.

While many Western nations have begun a gradual opening-up,&nbsp;Germany on Friday declared that a recent surge of infections had been "broken",&nbsp;much of the world continues to battle a&nbsp;virus&nbsp;that has now claimed more than 3.2 million lives.

Japan's Covid-19 outbreak remains much smaller than in many countries, with around 10,500 deaths.

But its vaccine rollout is moving slowly and more infectious variants are driving fresh waves of contagion, with record case numbers seen in some regions and medics warning that hospitals are under strain.

The pandemic has disrupted test events for the upcoming Olympics, with several postponed, cancelled or moved abroad, although the Diving World Cup and a rowing qualifier went ahead this week in Tokyo with athletes from abroad.

The&nbsp;emergency&nbsp;measures, less strict than blanket lockdowns in other countries, had been due to end on May 11 but will now continue until the end of the month, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-government-to-extend-covid-19-curbs-till-may-end-383433/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The number of new&nbsp;virus&nbsp;cases is at a high level in major cities, while hospitals continue to be overwhelmed in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures," he said.

The recent surge has forced Olympic torch relays off&nbsp;Japan's roads, with the world's oldest person, a Japanese woman aged 118, giving up her spot in the event.

Record cases in&nbsp;India&nbsp;

Grappling with the world's worst surge is&nbsp;India, where record daily cases have seen the country register up to half of all global infections in the past week.

Thursday saw the country post 414,000 new cases in the past 24 hours, another global record, as well as almost 4,000 deaths, according to official data that many experts suspect is a gross underestimate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-logs-414000-new-covid-19-cases-in-new-grim-record-death-toll-at-234083-383383">India logs 414,000 new COVID-19 cases in new grim record; death toll at 234,083</a>

The capital New Delhi is one of the worst-hit, along with West Bengal in the east, which recently completed an eight-phase election that saw mass rallies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other politicians,&nbsp;events now partly blamed for the staggering rise in infections.&nbsp;

India's surge has also been worsened by chronic shortages of hospital beds and oxygen, prompting an outpouring of international aid to the country.&nbsp;

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has indicated, however, that the crisis in the capital had eased slightly.

"Yesterday, for the first time, we received 730 tonnes of oxygen," Kejriwal told reporters. "But these supplies are needed daily."

The surge has quickly spilled over to&nbsp;India's neighbours in Bangladesh, Nepal and to Sri Lanka, which on Thursday became the latest country to seal its borders with the South Asian giant.

All three countries are now fighting their own surges of the&nbsp;virus, which has even reached as high as Nepal's Everest Base Camp, where more than 30 sick climbers have been evacuated from the foot of the world's highest mountain.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-threatens-everest-climbing-comeback-plans-as-infections-rise-383416">Covid threatens Everest climbing comeback plans as infections rise</a>

In the last three weeks, Nepal's daily case trajectory has shot up with two out of five people tested now returning positive.&nbsp;

"The hospital is overloaded, we are treating patients at each and every corner of the building," doctor Badri Chapagain said at Bheri Hospital in the Nepalese city of Nepalgunj, which borders&nbsp;India.

'Highest possible alert'&nbsp;

While vaccine roll-outs elsewhere had sparked hopes of a swift return to business-as-usual, Australia's trade and tourism minister said Friday the country was likely to remain shut to visitors until late 2022.

The government also said it would not extend a ban on Australian citizens returning from&nbsp;India&nbsp;after widespread public outrage.

Tunisia meanwhile ordered a partial lockdown from Sunday for the week-long Eid al-Fitr holidays, warning that any further increase in infections could overwhelm specialist care facilities.

In Britain, the scientific committee overseeing the country's vaccination programme on Friday recommended that under-40s be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab as a way to "increase vaccination confidence".

Many people have shied away from getting the AstraZeneca vaccine after UK and European regulators recorded a very small number of people developing clots with low blood platelet levels.

Europe's medicines regulator said Friday it was also monitoring links to clots with the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, but added that "the current evidence does not suggest a causal relation".

A coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other parts of Japan was extended on Friday, less than three months before the Olympics, as India logged yet another record number of infections.

A coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and other parts of Japan was extended on Friday, less than three months before the Olympics, as India logged yet another record number of infections. While many Western nations have begun a gradual opening-up, Germany on Friday declared that a recent surge of infections had been "broken", much of the world continues to battle a virus that has now claimed more than 3.2 million lives. Japan's Covid-19 outbreak remains much smaller than in many countries, with around 10,500 deaths. But its vaccine rollout is moving slowly and more infectious variants are driving fresh waves of contagion, with record case numbers seen in some regions and medics warning that hospitals are under strain. The pandemic has disrupted test events for the upcoming Olympics, with several postponed, cancelled or moved abroad, although the Diving World Cup and a rowing qualifier went ahead this week in Tokyo with athletes from abroad. The emergency measures, less strict than blanket lockdowns in other countries, had been due to end on May 11 but will now continue until the end of the month, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said. "The number of new virus cases is at a high level in major cities, while hospitals continue to be overwhelmed in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures," he said. The recent surge has forced Olympic torch relays off Japan's roads, with the world's oldest person, a Japanese woman aged 118, giving up her spot in the event. Record cases in India Grappling with the world's worst surge is India, where record daily cases have seen the country register up to half of all global infections in the past week. Thursday saw the country post 414,000 new cases in the past 24 hours, another global record, as well as almost 4,000 deaths, according to official data that many experts suspect is a gross underestimate. Also read | India logs 414,000 new COVID-19 cases in new grim record; death toll at 234,083 The capital New Delhi is one of the worst-hit, along with West Bengal in the east, which recently completed an eight-phase election that saw mass rallies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other politicians, events now partly blamed for the staggering rise in infections. India's surge has also been worsened by chronic shortages of hospital beds and oxygen, prompting an outpouring of international aid to the country. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has indicated, however, that the crisis in the capital had eased slightly. "Yesterday, for the first time, we received 730 tonnes of oxygen," Kejriwal told reporters. "But these supplies are needed daily." The surge has quickly spilled over to India's neighbours in Bangladesh, Nepal and to Sri Lanka, which on Thursday became the latest country to seal its borders with the South Asian giant. All three countries are now fighting their own surges of the virus, which has even reached as high as Nepal's Everest Base Camp, where more than 30 sick climbers have been evacuated from the foot of the world's highest mountain. Also read | Covid threatens Everest climbing comeback plans as infections rise In the last three weeks, Nepal's daily case trajectory has shot up with two out of five people tested now returning positive. "The hospital is overloaded, we are treating patients at each and every corner of the building," doctor Badri Chapagain said at Bheri Hospital in the Nepalese city of Nepalgunj, which borders India. 'Highest possible alert' While vaccine roll-outs elsewhere had sparked hopes of a swift return to business-as-usual, Australia's trade and tourism minister said Friday the country was likely to remain shut to visitors until late 2022. The government also said it would not extend a ban on Australian citizens returning from India after widespread public outrage. Tunisia meanwhile ordered a partial lockdown from Sunday for the week-long Eid al-Fitr holidays, warning that any further increase in infections could overwhelm specialist care facilities. In Britain, the scientific committee overseeing the country's vaccination programme on Friday recommended that under-40s be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab as a way to "increase vaccination confidence". Many people have shied away from getting the AstraZeneca vaccine after UK and European regulators recorded a very small number of people developing clots with low blood platelet levels. Europe's medicines regulator said Friday it was also monitoring links to clots with the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, but added that "the current evidence does not suggest a causal relation".

Japan extends virus emergency as India posts record infections

The first case of COVID-19 has been detected at the Mount Everest Base Camp this month, shortly after Nepal reopened to climbers earlier in April. The infected patient was originally thought to be suffering from high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Kathmandu.

First ever case of COVID-19 detected at Mount Everest base camp

According to reports, the Nepal government has put several restrictions on foreign trekkers and mountaineers in order to minimise the threat of coronavirus in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-ang-rita-sherpa-first-to-climb-mount-everest-ten-times-dies-329178">Also Read:&nbsp;Nepal's Ang Rita Sherpa, first to climb Mount Everest ten times, dies</a>

Nepal tourism ministry will now ask tourists for entry visa and they will have to carry PCR test report conducted not more than 72 hours ago including booking document for hotel stay to ensure seven-day quarantine period.

Reports say if a person tests positive then they would have stay in quarantine for as long as they do not test negative.

The Nepal government will also check tourist papers to see if people coming from abroad have&nbsp;insurance of $5,000.&nbsp;

The Himalayan Kingdom currently has Nepal 74,745 coronavirus cases including 481 deaths. The Nepal government had allowed mountaineering activities from July 30 after halting it for five months due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, it had cancelled permits for the spring season this year on March 13 as the pandemic hit various countries.

Nepal economy depends heavily on tourism and mountaineering which is its major source of revenue. Last year, the country had issued 381 permits for Mount Everest costing $11,000 per person.

According to reports, the Nepal government has put several restrictions on foreign trekkers and mountaineers in order to minimise the threat of coronavirus in the country.

According to reports, the Nepal government has put several restrictions on foreign trekkers and mountaineers in order to minimise the threat of coronavirus in the country. Also Read: Nepal's Ang Rita Sherpa, first to climb Mount Everest ten times, dies Nepal tourism ministry will now ask tourists for entry visa and they will have to carry PCR test report conducted not more than 72 hours ago including booking document for hotel stay to ensure seven-day quarantine period. Reports say if a person tests positive then they would have stay in quarantine for as long as they do not test negative. The Nepal government will also check tourist papers to see if people coming from abroad have insurance of $5,000. The Himalayan Kingdom currently has Nepal 74,745 coronavirus cases including 481 deaths. The Nepal government had allowed mountaineering activities from July 30 after halting it for five months due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, it had cancelled permits for the spring season this year on March 13 as the pandemic hit various countries. Nepal economy depends heavily on tourism and mountaineering which is its major source of revenue. Last year, the country had issued 381 permits for Mount Everest costing $11,000 per person.

Nepal issues new coronavirus guidelines for mountaineers

Nepal and China could soon announce the new height of Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the entire world. This development comes according to a draft MoU -- Memorandum of Understanding -- exchanged between the two countries last month. The Draft MoU between China's Ministry of Natural Resources and Nepal's Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation has tiled the joint announcement of "height of mount Zhumulangma/Sagarmatha".

Nepal-China to announce the new height of Mt.Everest

China has extended its claim on the world's highest mountain peak Mount Everest. Watch this video to know more.

China extends its claim on the world's highest mountain peak Mt. Everest

A British mountaineer has urged Nepal to limit the permits to scale the Mount Everest, keeping in view the carrying capacity of the mountain that saw 11 deaths this climbing season, the deadliest since 2015.

Doug Scott, who has made 45 expeditions to the high mountains of Asia, warned that the Himalayas is no more a place for peace and solitude.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

"Limitation should be imposed in issuing permission for mountaineers keeping in view the carrying capacity of the mountains," he said at the opening of the third-edition of Himalayan Travel Mart 2019, a four-day event to promote Nepal as the gateway to the Himalayas and centre for adventure tourism.

Scott, a veteran climber, has reached the summit of 40 peaks. Apart from his climb up the South West Face of Everest in 1975, he has made all his climbs in lightweight or Alpine Style, without the use of artificial oxygen.&nbsp;

Scott's request to the Nepal government came after the Himalayan nation this year witnessed 11 deaths, the highest in four years. Four Indian climbers were among the 11 deaths at the Mount Everest this season.&nbsp;

Following this, there is a ragging debate whether Nepal should limit the permits to prevent dangerous overcrowding on the 8,848-metres Mount Everest.

Nepal issued a record 381 permits costing $ 11,000 each for the current spring climbing season. It opened the climbing route to the world's highest peak on May 14.

Nepal authorities recently removed a total of 11,000 kg garbage and four dead bodies during a two-month long cleanliness drive from the mountain and below the used by the climbers.&nbsp;

The garbage, which included empty oxygen cylinders, plastic bottles, cans, batteries, food wrappings, faecal matter and kitchen waste, was flown to Kathmandu in army helicopters from the Everest base camp.&nbsp;

A British mountaineer has urged Nepal to limit the permits to scale the Mount Everest, keeping in view the carrying capacity of the mountain that saw 11 deaths this climbing season, the deadliest since 2015.

A British mountaineer has urged Nepal to limit the permits to scale the Mount Everest, keeping in view the carrying capacity of the mountain that saw 11 deaths this climbing season, the deadliest since 2015. Doug Scott, who has made 45 expeditions to the high mountains of Asia, warned that the Himalayas is no more a place for peace and solitude. "Limitation should be imposed in issuing permission for mountaineers keeping in view the carrying capacity of the mountains," he said at the opening of the third-edition of Himalayan Travel Mart 2019, a four-day event to promote Nepal as the gateway to the Himalayas and centre for adventure tourism. Scott, a veteran climber, has reached the summit of 40 peaks. Apart from his climb up the South West Face of Everest in 1975, he has made all his climbs in lightweight or Alpine Style, without the use of artificial oxygen. Scott's request to the Nepal government came after the Himalayan nation this year witnessed 11 deaths, the highest in four years. Four Indian climbers were among the 11 deaths at the Mount Everest this season. Following this, there is a ragging debate whether Nepal should limit the permits to prevent dangerous overcrowding on the 8,848-metres Mount Everest. Nepal issued a record 381 permits costing $ 11,000 each for the current spring climbing season. It opened the climbing route to the world's highest peak on May 14. Nepal authorities recently removed a total of 11,000 kg garbage and four dead bodies during a two-month long cleanliness drive from the mountain and below the used by the climbers. The garbage, which included empty oxygen cylinders, plastic bottles, cans, batteries, food wrappings, faecal matter and kitchen waste, was flown to Kathmandu in army helicopters from the Everest base camp.

Nepal government urged to limit climbing permissions to Everest

Nepali climbers have retrieved four bodies and collected some <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-may-limit-access-to-everest-after-mountaineering-deaths-224409">11 tonnes of decades-old garbage</a> from Mount Everest and its approach below the base camp as part of a drive to clean up the world's highest mountain, the government said on Wednesday.

Climbers returning from the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) mountain say its slopes are littered with human excrement, used oxygen bottles, torn tents, ropes, broken ladders, cans and plastic wrappers left behind by climbers, an embarrassment for a country that earns valuable revenue from Everest expeditions.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/human-traffic-jam-atop-mount-everest-claimed-11-lives-this-season-222470/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The garbage, along with the bodies of some of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-mountaineer-ravindra-kumar-speaks-to-wion-explains-why-everest-has-turned-into-death-zone-222486">300 people who have died </a>over the years on Everest's slopes, are buried under the snow during winter, but become visible when the snow melts in summer.
</div>

A clean-up team of 20 sherpa climbers collected five tonnes of litter in April and May from different camps sites above the base camp and another six tonnes from the areas below, said Dandu Raj Ghimire, director general of the Department of Tourism.

"Unfortunately, some garbage collected in bags at the South Col could not be brought down due to bad weather," Ghimire said in a statement on Wednesday.

Everest was first conquered by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and about 5,000 people have since reached the summit. South Col, on the Southeast Ridge route pioneered by Hillary and Tenzing, is located at some 8,016 metres (26,300 feet), and it is the site of the final camp from where climbers begin their summit attempts.

Cleaning campaign coordinator Nim Dorjee Sherpa, head of the village where Mount Everest is located, said two bodies were collected from the treacherous Khumbu Icefall and two from camp three site at the Western Cwm.&nbsp;

"They were exposed from the snow when the sherpas picked up and brought them down," he said.

None of the four bodies have been identified and it was not known when they died.

Nine mountaineers died on the Nepali side of Everest in May while two perished on the Tibetan side, making it the deadliest climbing season since 2015.

Climbers returning from Everest have talked of crowding and delays on the Nepali side just below the summit in the "death zone", so-called because at that altitude the lack of oxygen can be fatal. However climbers and guides have blamed a host of factors for the deaths.

Ghimire, of the Department of Tourism, said the deaths were not because of congestion but due to bad weather and short summit windows.

Nepal this year issued 381 permits to Everest, costing $11,000 each, an important source of income for the cash-strapped nation.

Nepali climbers have retrieved four bodies and collected some 11 tonnes of decades-old garbage from Mount Everest and its approach below the base camp as part of a drive to clean up the world's highest mountain, the government said on Wednesday.

Nepali climbers have retrieved four bodies and collected some 11 tonnes of decades-old garbage from Mount Everest and its approach below the base camp as part of a drive to clean up the world's highest mountain, the government said on Wednesday. Climbers returning from the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) mountain say its slopes are littered with human excrement, used oxygen bottles, torn tents, ropes, broken ladders, cans and plastic wrappers left behind by climbers, an embarrassment for a country that earns valuable revenue from Everest expeditions. The garbage, along with the bodies of some of the 300 people who have died over the years on Everest's slopes, are buried under the snow during winter, but become visible when the snow melts in summer. A clean-up team of 20 sherpa climbers collected five tonnes of litter in April and May from different camps sites above the base camp and another six tonnes from the areas below, said Dandu Raj Ghimire, director general of the Department of Tourism. "Unfortunately, some garbage collected in bags at the South Col could not be brought down due to bad weather," Ghimire said in a statement on Wednesday. Everest was first conquered by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and about 5,000 people have since reached the summit. South Col, on the Southeast Ridge route pioneered by Hillary and Tenzing, is located at some 8,016 metres (26,300 feet), and it is the site of the final camp from where climbers begin their summit attempts. Cleaning campaign coordinator Nim Dorjee Sherpa, head of the village where Mount Everest is located, said two bodies were collected from the treacherous Khumbu Icefall and two from camp three site at the Western Cwm. "They were exposed from the snow when the sherpas picked up and brought them down," he said. None of the four bodies have been identified and it was not known when they died. Nine mountaineers died on the Nepali side of Everest in May while two perished on the Tibetan side, making it the deadliest climbing season since 2015. Climbers returning from Everest have talked of crowding and delays on the Nepali side just below the summit in the "death zone", so-called because at that altitude the lack of oxygen can be fatal. However climbers and guides have blamed a host of factors for the deaths. Ghimire, of the Department of Tourism, said the deaths were not because of congestion but due to bad weather and short summit windows. Nepal this year issued 381 permits to Everest, costing $11,000 each, an important source of income for the cash-strapped nation.

4 bodies, 11 tonne garbage picked in Mount Everest clean-up operation

Under pressure after a deadly season on traffic-clogged Mount Everest, Nepal is considering tightening access to the world's highest peak, but mountaineering experts fear the proposed changes could amount to little more than lip service. &nbsp;

Eleven people died during the climbing season that ended this week, as record numbers lined the route to the summit. Although overcrowding was blamed for at least four deaths, many say inexperience is a bigger killer.

"People who know nothing of climbing, never been on a mountain, came and tried to climb Everest," Chilean mountaineer Juan Pablo Mohr told AFP after returning to Kathmandu.

"A lot of people didn't know how to put (on) crampons or (use) the fixed ropes," he said, adding they relied on an army of sherpas or Nepali guides to help them accomplish such basic tasks.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whats-behind-the-spike-in-deaths-on-mount-everest-223460">What's behind the spike in deaths on Mount Everest?</a>

For years, Kathmandu has issued permits to anyone willing to pay $11,000, regardless of whether they are rookie climbers or skilled mountaineers.

But after a devastating spring season, officials told AFP they are considering imposing more restrictions.

"We are looking into having a minimum requirement for climbers, fixing more ropes or taking more oxygen and sherpas," said Mohan Krishna Sapkota, secretary at Nepal's tourism ministry.

For veteran mountaineers, the announcement of new rules amounts to little more than a futile annual exercise -- with the government each year promising tougher measures that fail to materialise by the following spring.

'Just stupid words'

Russell Brice, whose company Himalayan Experience (Himex) has been organising Everest expeditions for decades, told AFP his meetings with government officials over the years had left him in no doubt about their indifference towards the industry.

"The ministry is in denial of overcrowding, of issuing too many permits, not checking what people are doing and so on," Brice said.

"It is just stupid words," he said, adding, "they are not interested."

In 2014, Kathmandu said it would double the number of fixed ropes near the summit to prevent traffic jams.

It never happened.

The government also said it would station soldiers and police at Everest base camp for assistance. An AFP visit to the area in 2015 revealed no such deployment.

Unlike Tibet, which caps the number of Everest climbers at 300, there are no limits on the Nepali side, making for an exceedingly profitable -- and dangerous -- business.

As cheaper operators have entered the fray, the number of climbers has shot up, creating deadly bottlenecks en-route to the top of the 8,848-metre (29,029-feet) peak -- especially when bad weather cuts the number of summit days, as it did this year.

Phurba Tenjing Sherpa, who has guided clients on Everest for over a decade, told AFP one of the climbers who died should never have been allowed to go up, given her excessively slow pace.

But the woman, who was in her fifties, "would not listen" because she had paid the fee and wanted to see the summit, he said.&nbsp;

"Such climbers are increasing on Everest. They force us, they want to climb no matter what. Their stubbornness is killing people on the mountain," he said.

Rush to profits

The situation has deteriorated to such a degree that Nepal's Mountaineering Association, which represents operators, is lobbying the government for stricter rules. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The association's president, Santa Bir Lama, told AFP the high number of deaths this year was due to the increased presence of inexperienced climbers.

"Climbers should be self-reliant. It would be best if there is a criteria set for issuing permits," he said.

For years after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of Everest in 1953, access to the world's most famous peak was a rare prize, offered only to solo mountaineers charting new routes or to climbers belonging to national teams or boasting major sponsorship deals.

But after Nepal scrapped its limit in the 1990s, operators have crowded the slopes for a slice of the multi-million dollar industry.

This year, the Himalayan nation made around $4 million from Everest permits alone.

"It is nice to see this income," Himex's Brice said.

But he warned the rush to reap profits was "detracting from the major attraction of Nepal, which is Mount Everest".

"If we ruin that business, it's going to have long-term effects".

Under pressure after a deadly season on traffic-clogged Mount Everest, Nepal is considering tightening access to the world's highest peak, but mountaineering experts fear the proposed changes could amount to little more than lip service.

Under pressure after a deadly season on traffic-clogged Mount Everest, Nepal is considering tightening access to the world's highest peak, but mountaineering experts fear the proposed changes could amount to little more than lip service. Eleven people died during the climbing season that ended this week, as record numbers lined the route to the summit. Although overcrowding was blamed for at least four deaths, many say inexperience is a bigger killer. "People who know nothing of climbing, never been on a mountain, came and tried to climb Everest," Chilean mountaineer Juan Pablo Mohr told AFP after returning to Kathmandu. "A lot of people didn't know how to put (on) crampons or (use) the fixed ropes," he said, adding they relied on an army of sherpas or Nepali guides to help them accomplish such basic tasks. Also read: What's behind the spike in deaths on Mount Everest? For years, Kathmandu has issued permits to anyone willing to pay $11,000, regardless of whether they are rookie climbers or skilled mountaineers. But after a devastating spring season, officials told AFP they are considering imposing more restrictions. "We are looking into having a minimum requirement for climbers, fixing more ropes or taking more oxygen and sherpas," said Mohan Krishna Sapkota, secretary at Nepal's tourism ministry. For veteran mountaineers, the announcement of new rules amounts to little more than a futile annual exercise -- with the government each year promising tougher measures that fail to materialise by the following spring. 'Just stupid words' Russell Brice, whose company Himalayan Experience (Himex) has been organising Everest expeditions for decades, told AFP his meetings with government officials over the years had left him in no doubt about their indifference towards the industry. "The ministry is in denial of overcrowding, of issuing too many permits, not checking what people are doing and so on," Brice said. "It is just stupid words," he said, adding, "they are not interested." In 2014, Kathmandu said it would double the number of fixed ropes near the summit to prevent traffic jams. It never happened. The government also said it would station soldiers and police at Everest base camp for assistance. An AFP visit to the area in 2015 revealed no such deployment. Unlike Tibet, which caps the number of Everest climbers at 300, there are no limits on the Nepali side, making for an exceedingly profitable -- and dangerous -- business. As cheaper operators have entered the fray, the number of climbers has shot up, creating deadly bottlenecks en-route to the top of the 8,848-metre (29,029-feet) peak -- especially when bad weather cuts the number of summit days, as it did this year. Phurba Tenjing Sherpa, who has guided clients on Everest for over a decade, told AFP one of the climbers who died should never have been allowed to go up, given her excessively slow pace. But the woman, who was in her fifties, "would not listen" because she had paid the fee and wanted to see the summit, he said. "Such climbers are increasing on Everest. They force us, they want to climb no matter what. Their stubbornness is killing people on the mountain," he said. Rush to profits The situation has deteriorated to such a degree that Nepal's Mountaineering Association, which represents operators, is lobbying the government for stricter rules. The association's president, Santa Bir Lama, told AFP the high number of deaths this year was due to the increased presence of inexperienced climbers. "Climbers should be self-reliant. It would be best if there is a criteria set for issuing permits," he said. For years after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of Everest in 1953, access to the world's most famous peak was a rare prize, offered only to solo mountaineers charting new routes or to climbers belonging to national teams or boasting major sponsorship deals. But after Nepal scrapped its limit in the 1990s, operators have crowded the slopes for a slice of the multi-million dollar industry. This year, the Himalayan nation made around $4 million from Everest permits alone. "It is nice to see this income," Himex's Brice said. But he warned the rush to reap profits was "detracting from the major attraction of Nepal, which is Mount Everest". "If we ruin that business, it's going to have long-term effects".

Nepal may limit access to Everest after mountaineering deaths

What's behind the spike in deaths on Mount Everest?

With reports of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/everest-traffic-jam-survivor-calls-for-tougher-rules-222135">over 10 people killed</a> recently while trying to scale the world highest peak, Mount Everest, global interest mounts around the ambitious expedition, the traffic on the peak and why has it turned into a 'death zone'.

WION got in touch with Ravindra Kumar, an Indian mountaineer who has not only scaled the summit successfully but has achieved the feat twice in his life.&nbsp;

Kumar spoke to WION on a host of issues surrounding the expedition - from the large number of permits being granted for the expedition, the commercialisation of the summit to the side from the which the mountaineers attempt to summit the peak.

"Actually the problem of traffic is on the south side of the peak. As you rightly said, over 380 permits were issued. I climbed from the north side where only 171 permits were given," Kumar told WION.&nbsp;

Kumar said that beyond 8,000 metres, the air gets so thin and the content of oxygen in the air is so less that "a person who lives at the sea-level would die within a couple of minutes. That is why the Everest is called the 'death zone'".

Watch: 'Human Traffic Jam' atop Mount Everest claimed 11 lives this season

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/human-traffic-jam-atop-mount-everest-claimed-11-lives-this-season-222470/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Kumar is the first IAS officer to scale the summit. He received Sikkim Khel Ratna and has penned a book called 'Many Everest'.

"We use bottled supplementary oxygen. We carry them for the summit. If you end up consuming more number of bottles while stuck in traffic and are not left with any more oxygen bottles, then ultimately you will run out of oxygen and die," Kumar informed.

Kumar first scaled the peak in the year 2013 and then this year. He said the place is so dangerous that one just wants to start on the descent, adding that as many as "only 10 people can stand at the summit at a time".

Over 11 have died in little more than two weeks after poor weather cut the climbing window, leaving mountaineers waiting in long queues to the summit, risking exhaustion and running out of oxygen.&nbsp;

Nepal issued a record 381 Everest permits this season, and several hundred of the summiteers are not properly trained, take poor decisions and risk their life.

As per a report by news agency AFP, at least four deaths on the world's highest mountain have been blamed on over-crowding with teams waiting sometimes for hours in the "death zone" where the cold is bitter, the air dangerously thin and the terrain treacherous.

This year's Everest toll is the highest since 2014-15 when huge earthquakes triggered devastating avalanches, the report stated.&nbsp;

With reports of over 10 people killed recently while trying to scale the world highest peak, Mount Everest, global interest mounts around the ambitious expedition, the traffic on the peak and why has it turned into a 'death zone'.

With reports of over 10 people killed recently while trying to scale the world highest peak, Mount Everest, global interest mounts around the ambitious expedition, the traffic on the peak and why has it turned into a 'death zone'. WION got in touch with Ravindra Kumar, an Indian mountaineer who has not only scaled the summit successfully but has achieved the feat twice in his life. Kumar spoke to WION on a host of issues surrounding the expedition - from the large number of permits being granted for the expedition, the commercialisation of the summit to the side from the which the mountaineers attempt to summit the peak. "Actually the problem of traffic is on the south side of the peak. As you rightly said, over 380 permits were issued. I climbed from the north side where only 171 permits were given," Kumar told WION. Kumar said that beyond 8,000 metres, the air gets so thin and the content of oxygen in the air is so less that "a person who lives at the sea-level would die within a couple of minutes. That is why the Everest is called the 'death zone'". Watch: 'Human Traffic Jam' atop Mount Everest claimed 11 lives this season Kumar is the first IAS officer to scale the summit. He received Sikkim Khel Ratna and has penned a book called 'Many Everest'. "We use bottled supplementary oxygen. We carry them for the summit. If you end up consuming more number of bottles while stuck in traffic and are not left with any more oxygen bottles, then ultimately you will run out of oxygen and die," Kumar informed. Kumar first scaled the peak in the year 2013 and then this year. He said the place is so dangerous that one just wants to start on the descent, adding that as many as "only 10 people can stand at the summit at a time". Over 11 have died in little more than two weeks after poor weather cut the climbing window, leaving mountaineers waiting in long queues to the summit, risking exhaustion and running out of oxygen. Nepal issued a record 381 Everest permits this season, and several hundred of the summiteers are not properly trained, take poor decisions and risk their life. As per a report by news agency AFP, at least four deaths on the world's highest mountain have been blamed on over-crowding with teams waiting sometimes for hours in the "death zone" where the cold is bitter, the air dangerously thin and the terrain treacherous. This year's Everest toll is the highest since 2014-15 when huge earthquakes triggered devastating avalanches, the report stated.

Indian mountaineer Ravindra Kumar speaks to WION, explains why Everest has turned into 'death zone'

With reports of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/everest-traffic-jam-survivor-calls-for-tougher-rules-222135">over 10 people killed</a> recently while trying to scale the world highest peak, Mount Everest, global interest mounts around the ambitious expedition, the traffic on the peak and why has it turned into a 'death zone'.

WION got in touch with Ravindra Kumar, an Indian mountaineer who has not only scaled the summit successfully but has achieved the feat twice in his life.&nbsp;

Kumar spoke to WION on a host of issues surrounding the expedition - from the large number of permits being granted for the expedition, the commercialisation of the summit to the side from the which the mountaineers attempt to summit the peak.

"Actually the problem of traffic is on the south side of the peak. As you rightly said, over 380 permits were issued. I climbed from the north side where only 171 permits were given," Kumar told WION.&nbsp;

Kumar said that beyond 8,000 metres, the air gets so thin and the content of oxygen in the air is so less that "a person who lives at the sea-level would die within a couple of minutes. That is why the Everest is called the 'death zone'".

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/human-traffic-jam-atop-mount-everest-claimed-11-lives-this-season-222470/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Kumar is the first IAS officer to scale the summit. He received Sikkim Khel Ratna and has penned a book called 'Many Everest'.

"We use bottled supplementary oxygen. We carry them for the summit. If you end up consuming more number of bottles while stuck in traffic and are not left with any more oxygen bottles, then ultimately you will run out of oxygen and die," Kumar informed.

Kumar first scaled the peak in the year 2013 and then this year. He said the place is so dangerous that one just wants to start on the descent, adding that as many as "only 10 people can stand at the summit at a time".

Over 11 have died in little more than two weeks after poor weather cut the climbing window, leaving mountaineers waiting in long queues to the summit, risking exhaustion and running out of oxygen.&nbsp;

Nepal issued a record 381 Everest permits this season, and several hundred of the summiteers are not properly trained, take poor decisions and risk their life.

As per a report by news agency AFP, at least four deaths on the world's highest mountain have been blamed on over-crowding with teams waiting sometimes for hours in the "death zone" where the cold is bitter, the air dangerously thin and the terrain treacherous.

This year's Everest toll is the highest since 2014-15 when huge earthquakes triggered devastating avalanches, the report stated.&nbsp;

With reports of over 10 people killed recently while trying to scale the world highest peak, Mount Everest, global interest mounts around the ambitious expedition, the traffic on the peak and why has it turned into a 'death zone'. WION got in touch with Ravindra Kumar, an Indian mountaineer who has not only scaled the summit successfully but has achieved the feat twice in his life. Kumar spoke to WION on a host of issues surrounding the expedition - from the large number of permits being granted for the expedition, the commercialisation of the summit to the side from the which the mountaineers attempt to summit the peak. "Actually the problem of traffic is on the south side of the peak. As you rightly said, over 380 permits were issued. I climbed from the north side where only 171 permits were given," Kumar told WION. Kumar said that beyond 8,000 metres, the air gets so thin and the content of oxygen in the air is so less that "a person who lives at the sea-level would die within a couple of minutes. That is why the Everest is called the 'death zone'". Kumar is the first IAS officer to scale the summit. He received Sikkim Khel Ratna and has penned a book called 'Many Everest'. "We use bottled supplementary oxygen. We carry them for the summit. If you end up consuming more number of bottles while stuck in traffic and are not left with any more oxygen bottles, then ultimately you will run out of oxygen and die," Kumar informed. Kumar first scaled the peak in the year 2013 and then this year. He said the place is so dangerous that one just wants to start on the descent, adding that as many as "only 10 people can stand at the summit at a time". Over 11 have died in little more than two weeks after poor weather cut the climbing window, leaving mountaineers waiting in long queues to the summit, risking exhaustion and running out of oxygen. Nepal issued a record 381 Everest permits this season, and several hundred of the summiteers are not properly trained, take poor decisions and risk their life. As per a report by news agency AFP, at least four deaths on the world's highest mountain have been blamed on over-crowding with teams waiting sometimes for hours in the "death zone" where the cold is bitter, the air dangerously thin and the terrain treacherous. This year's Everest toll is the highest since 2014-15 when huge earthquakes triggered devastating avalanches, the report stated.

A British climber too weak to descend from Mount Everest died on Saturday, officials said, the eighth climber to die on the world’s tallest mountain and the 18th in Nepal`s Himalayas during the current climbing season.

Hiking officials attributed most of the deaths to weakness, exhaustion and delays on the crowded route to the 8,850-metre (29,035 feet) summit.

Robin Haynes Fisher, 44, died in the so-called "death zone" known for low levels of oxygen on the descent from the summit, Mira Acharya, a tourism department official, said.

He is the eighth fatality on Everest in the current climbing season that ends this month.

“He died because of weakness after a long ascent and difficult descent,” Murari Sharma of the Everest Parivar Treks company that arranged his logistics told Reuters. “He was descending with his Sherpa guides from the summit when he suddenly fainted."

Fellow guides changed Fisher's oxygen bottle and offered him water, but could not save him, Sharma said.

Garrett Madison of the U.S. based Madison Mountaineering company that sponsors climbers to Mount Everest said many were not "well qualified or prepared climbers" and were without the support necessary to ascend and descend safely.

"If they were with a strong and experienced team they would have likely been fine, but with minimal support, once something goes wrong it`s tough to get back on course," Madison told Reuters.

Mount Everest can also be climbed from Tibet and casualties have been reported from there this season too.

A British climber too weak to descend from Mount Everest died on Saturday, officials said, the eighth climber to die on the world’s tallest mountain and the 18th in Nepal`s Himalayas during the current climbing season.

A British climber too weak to descend from Mount Everest died on Saturday, officials said, the eighth climber to die on the world’s tallest mountain and the 18th in Nepal`s Himalayas during the current climbing season. Hiking officials attributed most of the deaths to weakness, exhaustion and delays on the crowded route to the 8,850-metre (29,035 feet) summit. Robin Haynes Fisher, 44, died in the so-called "death zone" known for low levels of oxygen on the descent from the summit, Mira Acharya, a tourism department official, said. He is the eighth fatality on Everest in the current climbing season that ends this month. “He died because of weakness after a long ascent and difficult descent,” Murari Sharma of the Everest Parivar Treks company that arranged his logistics told Reuters. “He was descending with his Sherpa guides from the summit when he suddenly fainted." Fellow guides changed Fisher's oxygen bottle and offered him water, but could not save him, Sharma said. Garrett Madison of the U.S. based Madison Mountaineering company that sponsors climbers to Mount Everest said many were not "well qualified or prepared climbers" and were without the support necessary to ascend and descend safely. "If they were with a strong and experienced team they would have likely been fine, but with minimal support, once something goes wrong it`s tough to get back on course," Madison told Reuters. Mount Everest can also be climbed from Tibet and casualties have been reported from there this season too.

British climber dies on Everest as death toll of climbers in Nepal reaches 18

A huge queue of climbers has formed near the summit of Mount Everest as expedition organisers Thursday reported two more deaths on the world's highest mountain.

More than 200 climbers were taking advantage of clear weather on Wednesday to attempt to summit from both Nepal and China, but teams had to line up for hours to reach the top -- risking frostbite and altitude sickness.

An American and Indian climber are the latest fatalities, their expedition organisers said, on one of the busiest-ever days on the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak.

Donald Lynn Cash, 55, collapsed at the summit on Wednesday as he was taking photographs, while Anjali Kulkarni, also 55, died while descending after reaching the top.

Kulkarni's expedition organiser, Arun Treks, said heavy traffic at the summit had delayed her descent and caused her death.&nbsp;

"She had to wait for a long time to reach the summit and descend," said Thupden Sherpa. "She couldn't move down on her own and died as Sherpa guides brought her down."

Pasang Tenje Sherpa, of Pioneer Adventure, told AFP that Cash collapsed on the summit and died close to Hillary Step as guides were bringing him back.&nbsp;

The deaths take the toll on Everest to four this season, after an Indian climber died last week and an Irish mountaineer is presumed dead after he slipped and fell close to the summit.

Mountaineering in Nepal has become a lucrative business since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of Everest in 1953.&nbsp;

The Himalayan nation has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for this year's spring climbing season, sparking fears of bottlenecks en route to the summit if poor weather cuts down the number of climbing days.

Most Everest hopefuls are escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 750 climbers will tread the same path to the top in the coming weeks.

At least 140 others have been granted permits to scale Everest from the northern flank in Tibet, according to expedition operators. This could take the total past last year's record of 807 people reaching the summit.

Many Himalayan mountains -- including Everest -- are at peak climbing season, with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May.

At least six other foreign climbers have died on other 8,000-metre Himalayan peaks this season, while two are missing.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A huge queue of climbers has formed near the summit of Mount Everest as expedition organisers Thursday reported two more deaths on the world's highest mountain. More than 200 climbers were taking advantage of clear weather on Wednesday to attempt to summit from both Nepal and China, but teams had to line up for hours to reach the top -- risking frostbite and altitude sickness.

A huge queue of climbers has formed near the summit of Mount Everest as expedition organisers Thursday reported two more deaths on the world's highest mountain. More than 200 climbers were taking advantage of clear weather on Wednesday to attempt to summit from both Nepal and China, but teams had to line up for hours to reach the top -- risking frostbite and altitude sickness. An American and Indian climber are the latest fatalities, their expedition organisers said, on one of the busiest-ever days on the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak. Donald Lynn Cash, 55, collapsed at the summit on Wednesday as he was taking photographs, while Anjali Kulkarni, also 55, died while descending after reaching the top. Kulkarni's expedition organiser, Arun Treks, said heavy traffic at the summit had delayed her descent and caused her death. "She had to wait for a long time to reach the summit and descend," said Thupden Sherpa. "She couldn't move down on her own and died as Sherpa guides brought her down." Pasang Tenje Sherpa, of Pioneer Adventure, told AFP that Cash collapsed on the summit and died close to Hillary Step as guides were bringing him back. The deaths take the toll on Everest to four this season, after an Indian climber died last week and an Irish mountaineer is presumed dead after he slipped and fell close to the summit. Mountaineering in Nepal has become a lucrative business since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent of Everest in 1953. The Himalayan nation has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for this year's spring climbing season, sparking fears of bottlenecks en route to the summit if poor weather cuts down the number of climbing days. Most Everest hopefuls are escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 750 climbers will tread the same path to the top in the coming weeks. At least 140 others have been granted permits to scale Everest from the northern flank in Tibet, according to expedition operators. This could take the total past last year's record of 807 people reaching the summit. Many Himalayan mountains -- including Everest -- are at peak climbing season, with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May. At least six other foreign climbers have died on other 8,000-metre Himalayan peaks this season, while two are missing.

'Traffic jam' on Everest as two more climbers die reaching summit

For generations, climbing has been firmly the realm of men among the legendary Sherpas of Nepal, tradition dictating women care for the home while their husbands conquer the Himalayan peaks. &nbsp;

But that convention is being challenged by two Sherpa women attempting to summit Everest and force a rethink about the role of widows in their conservative community after their husbands died on the world's highest mountain.

Furdiki Sherpa and Nima Doma Sherpa hail from the Himalayan people revered for their skill at high altitudes as climbing guides.

Neither woman ever dreamed of making an expedition to the roof of the world themselves. But that is exactly what they are preparing to do when the short spring climbing season gets underway this month.

"The men climb. We had other things to do. I was running a tea house and taking care of my family. I didn't think about climbing the mountains," Furdiki told AFP.

That changed in 2013 when she lost her husband to the mountain as he fixed ropes along the route that aid climbers to the summit.

Like many Sherpa women before her, Furdiki was suddenly alone without a breadwinner to help raise their three children and bearing the stigma of misfortune that can stalk widows in Nepal.

A year later, another tragedy brought her into contact with Nima Doma, whose husband was swept to his death with 15 other Nepali guides in a deadly Everest avalanche.

"After our husbands passed away, we spent months just crying at home over their memories. But we had to take care of our family and ourselves. It was not easy to do this as a widow," said Nima Doma.

In need of work, the pair sought jobs as trekking guides in the capital Kathmandu and often crossed paths as they lit butter lamps at a local Buddhist stupa for their deceased husbands.

"We started sharing our stories, our grief, and what we should do in life," Furdiki said.

After helping guide some amateur treks the women embarked on serious mountaineering training and soon plans to summit Everest took shape.&nbsp;

In November, they successfully climbed Island Peak and Chulu Far East Peak, both difficult ascents over 6,000 metres (19,700 feet).&nbsp;

"They grew up in the mountains," said Ang Tshering Lama, whose Angs Himalayan Adventure company is organising their 'Two Widow Expedition' to Everest.

"As climbers they are very strong and determined."

'Double challenge'

Their Everest dream comes as attitudes toward women and climbing are slowly changing in the overwhelmingly male-dominated industry.

Last season 18 women reached the top of Everest -- towering over the world at 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) -- a record number.

Women trekking guides are more popular than ever but they are still vastly outnumbered on Everest -- and Sherpa women even more so.

Close to 4,000 Sherpa men have ascended the peak, according to the reputable Himalayan Database, compared to just 34 women from the legendary ethnic group.

Professional climber Lhakpa Sherpa, 44, is the best known having topped Everest nine times, but she remains very much an anomaly.

"Women are rarely encouraged to take up climbing," said Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, the only internationally certified female mountaineering guide in Nepal.

Sherpa society, like many ethnic groups in Nepal, is conservative and patriarchal. Wives and daughters are expected to keep the home fires burning while the men climb mountains.

But many die in the process. Up to one-third of all Everest, deaths have been Sherpas, and they leave behind families without their sole breadwinner.

"It is difficult and confusing for them. They are usually dependent on their husbands and not educated. And suddenly they are faced with the responsibility of taking care of the family," said Tsering Dolker Sherpa of the Juniper Fund, a non-profit that works with families of deceased mountain workers,&nbsp;

For women left to pick up the pieces, their grief and struggle are compounded by their newfound status as widows, one that carries a stigma. In some parts, widows are considered bad luck and ostracised.

"Furdiki and Nima Doma are fighting a double challenge stepping into this industry-- as women and as widows," said Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, the female professional guide.

The pair said meeting other Sherpa widows who endured discrimination has strengthened their resolve to reach the summit. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"We want to climb Everest with a message for widows and single women. We are not less than anyone, we are capable of achieving anything," Nima Doma said.&nbsp;

For generations, climbing has been firmly the realm of men among the legendary Sherpas of Nepal, tradition dictating women care for the home while their husbands conquer the Himalayan peaks.

For generations, climbing has been firmly the realm of men among the legendary Sherpas of Nepal, tradition dictating women care for the home while their husbands conquer the Himalayan peaks. But that convention is being challenged by two Sherpa women attempting to summit Everest and force a rethink about the role of widows in their conservative community after their husbands died on the world's highest mountain. Furdiki Sherpa and Nima Doma Sherpa hail from the Himalayan people revered for their skill at high altitudes as climbing guides. Neither woman ever dreamed of making an expedition to the roof of the world themselves. But that is exactly what they are preparing to do when the short spring climbing season gets underway this month. "The men climb. We had other things to do. I was running a tea house and taking care of my family. I didn't think about climbing the mountains," Furdiki told AFP. That changed in 2013 when she lost her husband to the mountain as he fixed ropes along the route that aid climbers to the summit. Like many Sherpa women before her, Furdiki was suddenly alone without a breadwinner to help raise their three children and bearing the stigma of misfortune that can stalk widows in Nepal. A year later, another tragedy brought her into contact with Nima Doma, whose husband was swept to his death with 15 other Nepali guides in a deadly Everest avalanche. "After our husbands passed away, we spent months just crying at home over their memories. But we had to take care of our family and ourselves. It was not easy to do this as a widow," said Nima Doma. In need of work, the pair sought jobs as trekking guides in the capital Kathmandu and often crossed paths as they lit butter lamps at a local Buddhist stupa for their deceased husbands. "We started sharing our stories, our grief, and what we should do in life," Furdiki said. After helping guide some amateur treks the women embarked on serious mountaineering training and soon plans to summit Everest took shape. In November, they successfully climbed Island Peak and Chulu Far East Peak, both difficult ascents over 6,000 metres (19,700 feet). "They grew up in the mountains," said Ang Tshering Lama, whose Angs Himalayan Adventure company is organising their 'Two Widow Expedition' to Everest. "As climbers they are very strong and determined." 'Double challenge' Their Everest dream comes as attitudes toward women and climbing are slowly changing in the overwhelmingly male-dominated industry. Last season 18 women reached the top of Everest -- towering over the world at 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) -- a record number. Women trekking guides are more popular than ever but they are still vastly outnumbered on Everest -- and Sherpa women even more so. Close to 4,000 Sherpa men have ascended the peak, according to the reputable Himalayan Database, compared to just 34 women from the legendary ethnic group. Professional climber Lhakpa Sherpa, 44, is the best known having topped Everest nine times, but she remains very much an anomaly. "Women are rarely encouraged to take up climbing," said Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, the only internationally certified female mountaineering guide in Nepal. Sherpa society, like many ethnic groups in Nepal, is conservative and patriarchal. Wives and daughters are expected to keep the home fires burning while the men climb mountains. But many die in the process. Up to one-third of all Everest, deaths have been Sherpas, and they leave behind families without their sole breadwinner. "It is difficult and confusing for them. They are usually dependent on their husbands and not educated. And suddenly they are faced with the responsibility of taking care of the family," said Tsering Dolker Sherpa of the Juniper Fund, a non-profit that works with families of deceased mountain workers, For women left to pick up the pieces, their grief and struggle are compounded by their newfound status as widows, one that carries a stigma. In some parts, widows are considered bad luck and ostracised. "Furdiki and Nima Doma are fighting a double challenge stepping into this industry-- as women and as widows," said Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, the female professional guide. The pair said meeting other Sherpa widows who endured discrimination has strengthened their resolve to reach the summit. "We want to climb Everest with a message for widows and single women. We are not less than anyone, we are capable of achieving anything," Nima Doma said.

Sherpa widows breaking down taboos as they eye Everest

'Everest'&nbsp; director Baltasar Kormakur is in negotiation to helm MGM thriller 'Deeper'. 
 
Max Landis penned the script and will also produce with David Goyer, Kevin Turen, and Addictive Pictures reported Variety. 
 
The story revolves around a former astronaut, who was hired to take a submersible to the deepest part of the ocean. Supernatural events transpire as the vehicle gets closer to its destination. 
 
MGM took over the project in 2016 when Bradley Cooper was attached to star. At one point, 'Wonder Woman'&nbsp;star Gal Gadot was also in talks to join the cast. Production on the film is expected to start early next year. 
&nbsp;

'Everest' director Baltasar Kormakur is in negotiation to helm MGM thriller 'Deeper'. Max Landis penned the script and will also produce with David Goyer, Kevin Turen, and Addictive Pictures reported Variety.

'Everest' director Baltasar Kormakur is in negotiation to helm MGM thriller 'Deeper'. Max Landis penned the script and will also produce with David Goyer, Kevin Turen, and Addictive Pictures reported Variety. The story revolves around a former astronaut, who was hired to take a submersible to the deepest part of the ocean. Supernatural events transpire as the vehicle gets closer to its destination. MGM took over the project in 2016 when Bradley Cooper was attached to star. At one point, 'Wonder Woman' star Gal Gadot was also in talks to join the cast. Production on the film is expected to start early next year.

'Everest' director Baltasar Kormakur may direct MGM thriller 'Deeper'

Mountaineers Kishon Tekseng and Taka Tamut from Arunachal Pradesh have achieved the rare feat of scaling Mt Everest without any sherpas, a senior state government official said today.

Tekseng, from Yingkiong in Upper Siang district and Tamut, who hails from Jomlo Mongku in Siang district scaled the world's highest peak on May 24, ten days after Muri Linggi of Roing who became the seventh Arunachalee to achieve the feat, state sports and youth affairs joint director Ramesh Lingi said.

Tekseng and Tamut reached the peak at 9 am on May 24 and unfurled the national tricolour atop it after a gruelling 13-hour non-stop climb from camp four (south column) known as Death Zone without any support staff, Lingi said.

"Both the climbers have inked a new record with this heroic climbing of the Mt Everest. They did not use supplementary oxygen till camp four (26000ft)," he said.

Almost all mountaineers take the help of sherpas while summiting the Mt Everest. But the duo decided to risk it on their own after one of their sherpas received a head injury when rocks rolled down while climbing at camp three and had to be rescued by helicopter.

The Sherpa was airlifted to Kathmandu in a critical condition and underwent head surgery.

The two climbers reached camp four with the help of one Sherpa, but the man fell ill due to high altitude sickness which prevented him to proceed further.

The two then set out on the last leg on their own.

They had been trained in mountaineering in different national institutes over the past four years and had scaled Mt Stok Kangri (20,187 ft) of Ladakh as pre-Everest expedition.

The other Arunachalee climbers who scaled the highest peak include Tapi Mra (2009), Tine Mena (2011), Anshu Jamsenpa (2011), Nima Lama (2011), Kalden Paljor (2011)and Tame Bagang (2013).

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Almost all mountaineers take the help of sherpas while summiting the Mt Everest, but the duo decided to risk it on their own after one of their sherpas received a head injury

Mountaineers Kishon Tekseng and Taka Tamut from Arunachal Pradesh have achieved the rare feat of scaling Mt Everest without any sherpas, a senior state government official said today. Tekseng, from Yingkiong in Upper Siang district and Tamut, who hails from Jomlo Mongku in Siang district scaled the world's highest peak on May 24, ten days after Muri Linggi of Roing who became the seventh Arunachalee to achieve the feat, state sports and youth affairs joint director Ramesh Lingi said. Tekseng and Tamut reached the peak at 9 am on May 24 and unfurled the national tricolour atop it after a gruelling 13-hour non-stop climb from camp four (south column) known as Death Zone without any support staff, Lingi said. "Both the climbers have inked a new record with this heroic climbing of the Mt Everest. They did not use supplementary oxygen till camp four (26000ft)," he said. Almost all mountaineers take the help of sherpas while summiting the Mt Everest. But the duo decided to risk it on their own after one of their sherpas received a head injury when rocks rolled down while climbing at camp three and had to be rescued by helicopter. The Sherpa was airlifted to Kathmandu in a critical condition and underwent head surgery. The two climbers reached camp four with the help of one Sherpa, but the man fell ill due to high altitude sickness which prevented him to proceed further. The two then set out on the last leg on their own. They had been trained in mountaineering in different national institutes over the past four years and had scaled Mt Stok Kangri (20,187 ft) of Ladakh as pre-Everest expedition. The other Arunachalee climbers who scaled the highest peak include Tapi Mra (2009), Tine Mena (2011), Anshu Jamsenpa (2011), Nima Lama (2011), Kalden Paljor (2011)and Tame Bagang (2013).

Mountaineers from Arunachal Pradesh scale Everest without sherpas

&nbsp;The body of a Japanese climber who died on Mount Everest was brought to a Kathmandu hospital for post-mortem on Monday (May 21).

Nobukazu Kuriki, 36, who lost nine fingertips to frostbite in a previous expedition, died on Monday during an attempt to climb Mount Everest, an official said, the second person to die during the current climbing season.

Kuriki was found dead while sleeping in a camp 2 tent at 7,400 metres (24,278 feet) on the 8,850-metre (29,035-feet) mountain, tourism department official Gyanendra Shrestha said from base camp.

Kuriki had made seven unsuccessful attempts to scale Everest.

In 2012, Kuriki spent two days in a snow hole at 27,000 feet (8,230 metres) on Everest in temperatures below minus 20 Celsius. That was when he had to have his fingertips amputated.

Macedonian Gjeorgi Petkov, 63, died at the weekend climbing Everest, hiking officials said without giving details.

Scores of climbers have successfully made it to the top of Everest this month taking the benefit of good weather, officials said.

Nepal has allowed more than 340 foreign climbers to ascend the peak during the current season which started in March and continues through this month.

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Kuriki had made seven unsuccessful attempts to scale Everest.

The body of a Japanese climber who died on Mount Everest was brought to a Kathmandu hospital for post-mortem on Monday (May 21). Nobukazu Kuriki, 36, who lost nine fingertips to frostbite in a previous expedition, died on Monday during an attempt to climb Mount Everest, an official said, the second person to die during the current climbing season. Kuriki was found dead while sleeping in a camp 2 tent at 7,400 metres (24,278 feet) on the 8,850-metre (29,035-feet) mountain, tourism department official Gyanendra Shrestha said from base camp. Kuriki had made seven unsuccessful attempts to scale Everest. In 2012, Kuriki spent two days in a snow hole at 27,000 feet (8,230 metres) on Everest in temperatures below minus 20 Celsius. That was when he had to have his fingertips amputated. Macedonian Gjeorgi Petkov, 63, died at the weekend climbing Everest, hiking officials said without giving details. Scores of climbers have successfully made it to the top of Everest this month taking the benefit of good weather, officials said. Nepal has allowed more than 340 foreign climbers to ascend the peak during the current season which started in March and continues through this month.

Watch: Body of Japanese climber who died on Everest brought to Kathmandu

A father-daughter duo is making headlines for successfully scaling world's highest mountain, Everest. Ajit and Diya Bajaj, from Haryana's Gurugram, created history after successfully summiting the peak yesterday.&nbsp;

The duo started their journey on April 16 and accomplished the feat in a month's time. 53-year old Ajit Bajaj is also the first Indian to ski to the North Pole and the South Pole within a year in 2006.

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Congratulations to Stephanian Ajeet Bajaj & his daughter Deeya who became the first father-daughter pair to ascend Mount Everest & reach the Summit at 4.30 & 4.45 am today! <a href="https://t.co/pvxebQUtAB">pic.twitter.com/pvxebQUtAB</a>
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/996714723327410176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Diya Bajaj is the recipient of best trainee award after her course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in 2012.

On Monday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-double-amputee-successfully-summits-everest-136721">a double-amputee man from China </a>successfully made to the summit of the Everest in his fifth attempt.

69-year-old, Xia Boyu, lost his legs almost four decades back to frostbite at the age of 25.&nbsp;

Boyu lived his long-cherished dream earlier on Monday around 8.30 am Nepal time. He summited the 8,848-metre peak from the Nepalese side.&nbsp;

The duo started their journey on April 16 and accomplished the feat in a month's time

A father-daughter duo is making headlines for successfully scaling world's highest mountain, Everest. Ajit and Diya Bajaj, from Haryana's Gurugram, created history after successfully summiting the peak yesterday. The duo started their journey on April 16 and accomplished the feat in a month's time. 53-year old Ajit Bajaj is also the first Indian to ski to the North Pole and the South Pole within a year in 2006. Congratulations to Stephanian Ajeet Bajaj & his daughter Deeya who became the first father-daughter pair to ascend Mount Everest & reach the Summit at 4.30 & 4.45 am today! pic.twitter.com/pvxebQUtAB — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 16, 2018 × Diya Bajaj is the recipient of best trainee award after her course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in 2012. On Monday, a double-amputee man from China successfully made to the summit of the Everest in his fifth attempt. 69-year-old, Xia Boyu, lost his legs almost four decades back to frostbite at the age of 25. Boyu lived his long-cherished dream earlier on Monday around 8.30 am Nepal time. He summited the 8,848-metre peak from the Nepalese side.

Watch: Father-daughter duo from Gurugram scales Everest

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