Everest season sees historic permit surge, testing Nepal’s crowd-control plans
Summary
Nepal has issued a record 492 climbing permits for Everest this spring, raising concerns about overcrowding amid delays in route preparation and a narrow summit window. The government earned Rs1.07 billion in royalty revenue this season, with new fees taking effect from 2025.
Key Points
- Nepal issued a historic 492 Everest climbing permits this spring, the highest ever recorded.
- The government earned Rs1.07 billion in royalty from Everest permits, following a fee increase effective September 2025.
- Delays in route fixing and a narrow summit window have raised concerns over dangerous overcrowding on Everest.
- Safety measures and coordination among agencies are underway to manage climber traffic amid challenging conditions at Khumbu Icefall.
