Everest North Face toward base camp (c) Luca Galuzzi (www.galuzzi.it)
Everest North Face toward base camp (c) Luca Galuzzi (www.galuzzi.it)

These measures will include individuals having to prove they have already scaled a peak in excess of 6,500m, eliminating the possibility of novice climbers scaling the mountain.

“Everest should become a mountaineers’ mountain again,” explains UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt. “We support the requirement restrictions on age (denying access to those under 18, and over 75) and the minimum requirements regarding physical and mental ability to assure you are able to climb by yourself or with a partner. If you have to be hauled up the mountain you don’t really belong on Everest. Most importantly these requirements are proposed by Nepalese authorities who are responsible for the mountain and have Everest’s best interests at heart.”

The UIAA and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) believe implementing these measures will drastically improve safety on an increasingly overcrowded mountain, lessen pressure on guides who are often reduced to risking their lives assisting ill-prepared climbers and restore a sense of dignity and glory to Everest.

QuelleUIAA, Foto: Luca Galuzzi (www.galuzzi.it)