A record 274 climbers have reached the summit of Mount Everest from the Nepalese side in a single day, taking advantage of clear weather after a spring season delayed by the threat of ice fall on the normal tourist route.
Record-Breaking Day on Everest
Rishi Ram Bhandari of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal confirmed the milestone, stating, "This is the highest number of climbers in a single day so far." He noted that the count could increase as some climbers who summited may not have yet informed base camp.
All but one of the climbers reached the summit with the assistance of Sherpa guides and supplementary bottled oxygen. The exception was Ecuadorian climber Marcelo Segovia, who summited independently without supplemental oxygen.
Concerns Over Congestion
Mountaineering experts have criticized Nepal for permitting large numbers of climbers, which can lead to dangerous queues in the "death zone" below the summit, where natural oxygen levels are insufficient for human survival. The large convergence on this single day occurred as climbers from higher camps waiting for better wind conditions were joined by those from lower camps, resulting in slow ascents and reported queues.
Seasonal Context
The 8,849-meter peak can be scaled from either Nepal's southern side or China's northern face in Tibet. On May 22, 2019, Nepal's side saw 223 climbers and China's side 113, but Chinese authorities have closed the route this year.
This week, veteran guide Kami Rita Sherpa scaled the peak for the 32nd time, breaking his own record for the most Everest summits. His closest rival, Pasang Dawa Sherpa, reached the summit for the 30th time. Additionally, Lhakpa Sherpa climbed Everest for the 11th time, extending her record for the most summits by a female climber.
Delayed Season and Permit Details
This year's climbing season began late due to the risk from a large serac, a glacial ice cliff, hanging over the key route. Nepal has issued 494 permits for Everest this year, each costing $15,000. With an equal number of Sherpa guides, approximately 988 people are expected to attempt the summit by the end of May.
Thousands have climbed Everest since its first ascent on May 29, 1953, by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary. A Department of Tourism official, Himal Gautam, reported receiving preliminary information that over 250 people climbed the peak on Wednesday. "We wait for climbers to return, give us photographs and other evidence to prove their ascents and provide them with climbing certificates. Only then we will be able to confirm the numbers," he said.
