Too Many Dead Bodies: Mt. Everest Law Set to Make Major Changes

Conservative News DailyMay 4, 2025

Nepal is considering a new law aimed at regulating access to mount Everest due to increasing concerns about climber fatalities and overcrowding on the mountain. The proposed legislation would require climbers to have previously summited at least one peak of 7,000 meters (22,965 feet) within Nepal to be eligible for an Everest permit. this important policy change seeks to enhance safety given the alarming number of climber deaths, with at least 12 fatalities and five missing in 2023 alone. the “death zone”—an area above 26,247 feet with insufficient oxygen—has become hazardous due to long queues of climbers.

Critics argue that the bill could harm Nepal’s tourism revenue, a vital part of the country’s economy, while supporters claim it is essential for improving safety and preserving the mountain for future generations. The legislation, which also mandates that local staff and guides must be Nepali, appears likely to pass due to the ruling coalition’s majority in parliament.International expedition operators have raised concerns about the law’s requirement, advocating for recognition of climbs from peaks worldwide. If enacted, this law could set a precedent for managing access to other extreme tourism destinations.

Nepal is poised to enact a new law that could significantly restrict access to Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, amid growing concerns over climber deaths and overcrowding.

The proposed legislation, reported by Reuters on Monday, would limit Everest permits to climbers who have previously scaled at least one 7,000-meter (22,965-foot) peak within Nepal.

This marks a drastic shift for the Himalayan nation, which has long relied on climbing and tourism for foreign exchange, as noted by both Reuters and Fox News.

The draft law aims to address the alarming death toll on Everest, where overcrowding has been blamed for dangerous conditions in the so-called “death zone” below the summit.

In 2023, at least 12 climbers died and five others went missing on Everest, a year when Nepal issued 478 permits.

The “death zone,” an area above 26,247 feet with insufficient oxygen for human survival, has become notorious for long queues of climbers, exacerbating risks like exhaustion and frostbite.

And that can obviously trickle down to overcrowding other parts of the monolithic mountain:

Human traffic jam on Mt. Everest, as climbers got stuck just below the South Summitpic.twitter.com/C2TaAZ9H3d

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) April 12, 2025

Nepal’s tourism industry, a cornerstone of its economy, has faced criticism for allowing too many inexperienced climbers to attempt the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak, per Reuters.

The bill, registered at Nepal’s upper chamber of parliament, seeks to improve safety and reduce environmental strain.

Under the proposed rules, climbers must provide proof of scaling a 7,000-meter Nepalese peak before being granted an Everest permit, a requirement that could exclude many novice adventurers and thrill-seekers.

Additionally, the law mandates that the head of local staff, known as the sardar, and the mountain guide must be Nepalese citizens, ensuring local expertise on expeditions.

International expedition operators have pushed back, urging Nepal to accept ascents of any 7,000-meter peak globally, not just those in Nepal, according to Reuters.

“That wouldn’t make any sense,” one expedition organizer told the outlet. “And I would also add mountains that are close to 7,000 metres to that list and that are widely used as preparation.”

The bill’s passage seems likely, as the ruling alliance holds a majority in the Nepalese parliament.

The pressure to act has been mounting for years, with high-profile incidents drawing global attention to the risks of unrestricted access to the peak.

If passed, the law could also set a precedent for other extreme travel destinations.

For Nepal, this is a gamble — curtailing access to Everest may hurt tourism revenue, but it could also save lives and preserve the mountain for future generations.