Nepal has introduced new regulations for Mont Everest climbers, aimed at reducing overcrowding, stimulating security and minimizing environmental damage to the highest peak in the world.
Under the last rules, announced this week, all Everest hopes had to have previously climbed a mountain of 7,000 meters in Nepal before receiving a license.
In addition, climbers are now required to present a medical certificate issued within 30 days of their shipment and climb with an approved Nepalese mountain guide.
The government has said that new measures aim to limit risks and guarantee that only experienced mountaineers are trying Everest. “We want to discourage the thrill seekers and encourage responsible climbing,” said a head of the Nepal tourism department.
The Sherpas of Nepal and high altitude guides, many of which are local communities, have long played a crucial role in the success of the Everest expeditions. Make their presence compulsory not only improves security, but also supports local livelihoods.
The stricter rules follow a deadly climbing season in 2023, when 17 people lost their lives at Everest – the highest annual death report on the mountain. Experts blamed extreme weather conditions, poor planning and an increase in permits granted to inexperienced climbers.
Environmental concerns are also looming. The growing number of climbers has left Everest dotted with waste, human waste and even bodies that remain frozen in the so -called “zone of death” – areas greater than 8,000 meters where oxygen is dangerously low.
Nepal has tightened its mountaineering regulations in recent years. In 2024, the authorities rendered the GPS monitoring systems compulsory. Earlier this year, solo climbers were prohibited from peaks greater than 8,000 meters. License fees will also increase in September 2025, from $ 11,000 to $ 15,000 during the high season of April-May.
With these new regulations, Nepal hopes to restore Everest’s reputation as a serious mountaineering challenge, not as a crowded bucket list.
