Nepal's Everest Season Sees Record Permits Amid Crowd Control Worries

Nepal's spring climbing season on Mount Everest has shattered previous records, with the Department of Tourism announcing a historic 492 permits issued to climbers. This surge not only signifies a booming tourism sector but also a substantial boost to national revenue, with over Rs1.07 billion collected from Everest alone this season. The government's recent decision to increase royalty fees for foreign climbers, effective September 2025, appears to be a strategic move to capitalize on this demand.

However, this record turnout is not without its anxieties. Mountaineering experts and expedition operators are voicing serious concerns over crowd management. With route preparation experiencing delays above base camp due to adverse weather conditions, the fear of dangerous congestion on the mountain, particularly near the summit, is palpable. The infamous bottleneck seen in 2019, which led to a traffic jam of climbers and several fatalities, serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved.

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If the weather behaves well, managing around 200 climbers a day is possible. Everything depends on the weather.

The closure of Everest from the Tibetan side by China is cited as a primary driver for this year's influx from Nepal. This shift in access underscores Nepal's critical role in global mountaineering and the importance of robust safety protocols. While the revenue generated is a welcome development for the nation's economy, the paramount concern remains the safety of the climbers. Careful coordination, reliable weather forecasting, and efficient management of the limited summit window are crucial to prevent a tragedy amidst this historic season.

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Every season, we struggle to identify the most reliable weather source when we’re on a big mountain. Over the past few days, it seemed all forecasts were aligning, but the storms on Wednesday and Thursday made it clear which weather reports to trust for the 2026 Everest Expedition.