Variable weather caused by climate change has affected the death toll on Everest, the world’s highest mountain. This year is on track to be the deadliest year on Everest. This year marks 70 years since humans conquered Everest.
The summit of Mount Everest, piled high with waste. [Image via Sherpa Minga Tenzin’s social media].
On March 30 (local time), the British newspaper The Guardian reported that this year is on track to be the worst year ever for deaths on Everest. The reason for this is the volatile weather at the summit due to climate change.
Photo credit: Pixabay
According to the Himalayan Database, which compiles records of Himalayan ascents메이저사이트, and Nepalese authorities, 17 climbers who set out on Everest expeditions during this year’s spring climbing season have died.
Twelve have been confirmed dead and the remaining five are presumed dead after being out of contact for more than five days.
The previous record for the most deaths in a single year was 17 in 2014. Even in 2019, when the summit was dangerously crowded with climbers, there were 11 deaths.
According to the Guardian, the average number of deaths on Everest used to be between five and 10 per year, but in recent years, the number of deaths has skyrocketed. Experts attribute the increase in deaths to more erratic weather as a result of climate change.
“The main cause is climate change,” said an official from the Nepal Tourism Board, adding that “weather conditions were not favorable this climbing season.”
Everest [Image via Pixabay].
Overuse of climbing permits has also been blamed, according to the Guardian. Climbing permit fees of £12,000 per person are the main source of revenue for the Nepalese government, which issued a record 479 permits to climb Everest this spring.
Nepalese authorities attributed the high number of permits to the fact that this year’s climbing season started earlier and lasted longer than usual, and there was no overcrowding as previously feared. But the Sherpas (climbing guides) disagree. Ang Norbu, president of the National Mountain Guide Association of Nepal, said that too many permits have been issued, putting pressure on the Everest environment.