Everest is IN TROUBLE - CONTENTIOUS New Regulations for 2024

MOUNT EVEREST is in trouble. In the age of commercialization, Everest is being inundated with human activity. And, wherever the people congregate there is always going to be too much garbage and too much human waste. The government of Nepal has stepped up to the plate and recently made some new regulations for the 2024 season that will require all climbers and guides to carry with them bags in which they will carry out their own human waste - and on top of that the local governing body in the Khumbu Valley has said they will be imposing new environmental guidelines that focus on luxuries at Base Camp that they say have an overwhelming impact on the environment. The latter is VERY controversial and is seen as a slap in the face of some expedition outfitter owners.
That is what we'll be covering in this fascinating and super informative video. I’ll break down all supposed changes on the mountain and I’ll provide some detail and analysis to see if things will really change on the mountain.
TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - Newly proposed regulations for 2024
2:06 - order of topics covered story,
3:38- The Nepal (south) side of the mountain v. how things are done on Tibet/China (north) side of the mountain
6:20 - Mount Everest as a focal point for ire from public and amount of human waste on Mount Everest every year
7:57- Graphic of Everest’s south route from Base Camp to the Summit and where garbage problems are most problematic
9:38 - David Liaño Gonzalez’ pure style of climbing Everest
10:22 - 2024 requirements of climbers to use bags to carry their own human waste out
14:25 - Do you think people will abide by the rules? Let us know what you think
15:48 - New regulations about limiting luxuries at Base Camp
16:24 - Base Camp Management Procedure 2024 overview
19:05 - Climbing the Seven Summits luxury packages and what they look like
20:12 - Mike Hamill of CTSS weighs in on proposed regulations and rules regarding luxuries at Everest Base Camp
21:40 - There was no consolation with expedition operators regarding restrictions, and these being seen as a direct ’slap in the face’
25:31 - Analysis and wrap-up of proposed rules for 2024
Mount Everest Biogas Project:
www.mteverestbiogasproject.org
Climbing the Seven Summits, Mike Hamill's company:
climbingthesevensummits.com
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Thank you for watching this video! We want to clarify that some of the footage used in this content is intended for educational purposes, providing commentary and analysis on the subject matter. We respect copyright holders and have made efforts to attribute the sources wherever possible. Our goal is to enhance the educational value of our content, fostering understanding and critical thinking.
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Sincerely,
Everest Mystery

[@js70371]

Thank you for this!!!! Nepal needs to do more to keep the environment pristine in such a tourism intensive area. I think every climber who is issued a permit every year should pay a $1000 non-refundable “clean up fee” so that porters can be paid to to go up there to clean the base camps up. Some of the photos you see of trash and piles of empty oxygen bottles are absolutely infuriating!! It’s not as though these rich folks who go there to climb cannot afford it!!

[@dukecraig2402]

With what they charge for climbing permits they should already have a version of US Park Rangers to enforce rules and regulations like they do in the parks in the US, considering that they're annual average income in that region is something like $7,391 they could certainly pay for a few permanent year round rangers and hire seasonal rangers every year during the climbing season, I'm sure there's plenty of Sherpa's getting up in their year's who'd jump on an opportunity like that, and plenty of young people who'd take the opportunity for seasonal work while schools out. I've been seeing these stories about all the garbage on Everest and my first thought was "Where is all the money from the permits going?", it's their land, they charge money for people to come and climb there so they should be the one's to have rules and regulations enforced by empowered officials to police the mountain, they should also have a system for people to dispose of their garbage and waste, everyone rags on the climbers for the mess but what are they supposed to do if the facilities aren't at hand for them to dispose of everything? It's Nepals mountain and it's not like the climbers just show up there without permission or something as if they're uninvited trespassers, there's been a lot of climbers who've paid a lot of money for those permits so once again, where's all that money gone all these years? In someone's pocket is where it's gone and now that Everest is a mess everyone wants to point their fingers at the climbers who've paid out the snout for those permits which has to be into the hundreds of millions of dollars by now, no, not the climbers faults. Climbers leave behind perfectly fine tents and other equipment that could easily be ridded up and sold or rented as used at the bottom of the mountain to climbers who don't have the money for new equipment, oxygen bottles could be sent somewhere nearby to a facility to be refilled, certified and sold or rented to climbers, even the human waste could be processed into fertilizer for the local farmers who could then turn around and sell food to climbers on their way up there, there's a fortune in equipment and everything else left up there that entrepreneurial spirited locals could do well with if only provided with a system to do it by the people who ultimately are supposed to be running the mountain, some people only see garbage there but the right people will see money if given the opportunity, a little of the good old free enterprise system would go a long ways to cleaning it up and making money on top of it.

[@jessicascoullar3737]

I think it should be more than that, but someone needs to enforce it to make sure it actually goes to cleanup. Watched John Oliver’s expose of the waste problem on Mt Everest with some of my Nepalese students in my English class and they were so angry about the corruption and mismanagement.

[@sisterpamop]

Not all of the climbers are wealthy. Some save for years to climb Everest.

[@dukecraig2402]

@@sisterpamop That's exactly right and like the many US parks that people go to not everyone who goes to them is wealthy either yet those parks have Park Rangers to assure that everyone follows the rules when it comes to cleaning up their campsites when they leave among the other rules about utilizing the parks, Mt Everest and the fixed camps at it's lower altitudes are infinitely smaller than US parks so there's no good reason why Nepal shouldn't already have had the equivalent of Park Rangers in place already considering the amount of money they've collected over the year's in permits, where's all that money gone? Because there's obviously not been one penny of it spent on the mountain itself.

[@sisterpamop]

@dukecraig2402 Where has the money gone? Good question. There must be some corruption as that seems to happen whenever and wherever money is collected. I hope the new guidelines are not too little, too late.

[@bramsrockhopper3377]

One big problem with the human waste and rubbish issue is that that glacier is a MAJOR source of fresh water for communities living downstream from it. The water from that glacier must be so polluted. I’m guessing that local people get sick and have to use brought in water to avoid it. Disgusting Imho

[@TranceMountainbiker]

i think 20k down the steam the rivers cleaning its self out

[@Maxx1066]

Well in the Uk they allow private water companies to dump sewage in the rivers and pump out on beaches so people down stream must have got Poisoning from a the Shxtz washing into their water source. Sad they all let get this bad and yet some of these climbers say their environmental warriors lol jokes only on the poor

[@dukecraig2402]

@@TranceMountainbiker Absolutely, there's a big difference between 20K and just around the bend.

[@regnbuetorsk]

all the nitrogen and other substances released in the decomposition of the waste are not going to vanish into thin air. it all trickle down to the valley

[@joshuajones1319]

@davidedavide4991 ...of course it won't vanish in thin air! It will be filtered by rock and sediment....

[@aandreya]

I live on the edge of lower part of the Alps. We were always thought:"what goes up with you, comes down with you". And here you have all those "mountaineers" leaving trash behind because it's to hard to take it down? Those are no mountaineers, just another kind of trashy tourist bunch.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

YEP!!

[@mariannesouza8326]

Exactly! 🏔️

[@pindrop9536]

Wealth inequality exists everywhere but it is particularly stark on Everest where you are paying people to risk their lives, who cannot afford the luxuries they have to carry to base camp.

[@SlavGuns]

um.... the people climbing the mountains are not the same people who are lugging that stuff in. You are confusing Sherpas, Guides and Porters... The less stuff being brought in, the less porters that are going to get hired.

[@terrifoy4385]

Wow! I'm sorry to disagree. If you are there to climb, why not do just that, whats up with making sure you have nice big tents and extra amenities? I think it's terrible the mountain has accumulated so much waste and I wish the Nepal side would make more restrictions

[@bucstime1270]

If Nepal was serious about safety and the enviroment, they would reduce the number of permits and increase the qualifications to get a permit. And (gasp) they would even have to use less doggie bags this way...

[@jules3042]

No government cares about the wellbeing of most of its people. They care about money. Good for them making people take their trash back down the mountain and good for them for profiting on people who are dumb and rich enough to risk their lives to get to the top of a mountain :)

[@mariekatherine5238]

I agree. You must have demonstrable physical fitness and experience before hiking Everest. Determine the acceptable number of people attempting to summit and have a lottery from among those who meet the qualifications. Get rid of the “wealthy bucket-list tourists” and there’ll be far fewer dead bodies and need for huge support teams and risky rescue work. Think USMC, not the entire military!

[@bucstime1270]

I don't wish for anything bad to happen but what are the odds that one of those lead lines lets loose under the strain of 50 climbers in a congo line to the summit on the last day of the climbing season? @@mariekatherine5238

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

This is how it's done on the Tibet/China side. You cannot climb Everest from the north unless you have previously summited a 7,000m peak. I think this is the way Nepal could, and should go.

[@rondafulfer5]

The Nepalese people are so poor, they need the money. Like the Amazon rainforest, people will destroy anything if they are desperate enough.

[@LilyGazou]

When we climb Rainier, we are given “blue bags” to carry waste down the mountain. I’m surprised this hasn’t always been a requirement.

[@Maxine1630]

What about oxygen tanks and tents?

[@dukecraig2402]

​​@@Maxine1630 What about them? A little of the good old free enterprise system would go a long ways to cleaning the place up, you see them as garbage but the right people see that as money, perfectly fine tents left behind by rich people could be gathered up by locals who could then sell or rent them to climbers who can't afford to buy something like that brand new just so they can leave it on the mountain, someone could build a facility at the base of the mountain to refill and certify the oxygen bottles so they could be sold or rented to climbers, at the same shop that has the tents and all the other perfectly fine equipment left up there, people are literally leaving everything you need to start a climbing equipment business on that mountain just laying around for free. Motorcycle's are my thing and I'd give my right arm to find a place where I could go and there's a bunch of brand new used one time only mototcycle's laying around because they ran out of gas so people just left them where they're at, matter of fact just thinking about it makes me think I'd give both arms for an opportunity like that .

[@markwaters7760]

Mt Hood and Mt Shasta are the same way...blue bags...pack it out!

[@Mila_Brearey]

You can't compare Rainier with Everest due to the huge difference in altitude. Btw, blue bags have been used by many western climbers, but the rest of the world is climbing Everest too. The cheaper outfits are hugely responsible for leaving everything behind because there is no expedition leader to pay enough people to help. They are usually "climb & dump" operations.

[@fergusdenoon1255]

@@Mila_Brearey alternatively, the well financed operations leave their waste there due to previous options of; take your waste down or pay a fine... pay a fine you say? no problem, waste left on the mountain, fine paid.

[@LindaG858]

Those extravagances are ridiculous. They will be carrying their tv’s next. All these extravagances means more moneys paid to a few while leaving all that trash. The set up should be the same for all.

[@halseyknox]

Linda I totally agree....camping is camping. If you can't connect to the basics of camping without bringing in the unnatural comforts of the civilized world then what's the point? ....I see this in my world going to the desert. The people that basically tow the equivalent of a house or garage on wheels is mind boggling. This is why, just like My.Evererst, the desert is becoming bogged down and overcrowded with posers. Along with that comes wrecklessness and irresponsible behaviour. Isn't camping suppose to be a way of disconnecting from the user friendly comforts of the unnatural hight tech world people like me distain?

[@CptShelby]

For me the most important point of the extravagances is the impact of transporting them. If there was a way to establish them permanently, why not? But I think helicopter flights should be kept to a minimum. Also, if they overcharge for the usage, let's say by adding a tax on it, the money can be used for such projects as the one for biogas.

[@flufwix]

I’ve never understood how you can be in a place of superb natural beauty and leave your trash and waste behind. It’s sacrilegious! …and IMHO adding light pollution by having fancy lights strung up is utterly unnecessary

[@sc29607]

It’s because of all the luxury and support (oxygen bottles etc.) what makes it so bad in the Himalayas. I love the mountains even if I’m not a climber (by medical reasons I can’t climb that high altitudes) I think if you can’t make such climbs with the minimalistic equipment as possible but need so many Luxus and support if all the porters just to climb the mountain you shouldn’t be in the mountain. There have been climbers that even made it solo and without supplemental oxygen. Which means, if you can’t do it without that support and without bringing down all your garbage and waste you shouldn’t be allowed to go up or you have to pay a huge amount of money to get this done by 3rd parties. A climber should be weighted all equipment he takes up and has t9 return with the same weight, reduced by the weight of food out of the cans and tins, but all the rest is not necessary on that mountain. Also they should increase the prices of licenses dramatically to reduce the generell amount of climbers. Nowadays they bring up folks without ANY experience of climbing that high peaks when they just pay enough. Not only produces this much more waste and garbage but also increases the danger of death on that mountains. Another point is to stop the helicopter flights up to base camp or even higher for all the people that can’t climb. Unfortunately to say so but if you can’t make it because of money, medical condition or any other reason you just shouldn’t be there at all, money shouldn’t matter. The flights also are not environmental friendly and support the destruction of the nature and environment.

[@shopsshire9282]

Like they say take pictures and leave only memories.

[@KDSima]

It is the result of a poverty mentality.

[@AussieWalkabout74]

Absolutely

[@msbethmildhyperbaricoxygen6392]

I’ve never climbed a mountain but have always been intrigued by Mt Everest expeditions. Watching as the years have gone on and the number of people going to the mountain and the trash build up is very concerning. Thank you for reporting on the cleanup efforts of this beautiful treasure.

[@Maxine1630]

Wow...we got the same story! I never climbed one neither but love watching videos about them especially Mt Everest and that trash pile up!

[@ArtisticlyAlexis]

I physically can't due to having bad chronic illnesses since I was 5. But something about being in such untouched places always fascinated me, and I live vicariously through channels like this one. It's so sad that there's almost no pristine wilderness left.

[@PartanBree]

The thing about the luxury tents is that I do feel they will encourage people to go who are not taking the risk or hardship seriously. I agree that more notice should have been given, but I don't necessarily disagree with the thinking behind the ban. It does seem like reducing the number of permits and increasing the requirements to get one would be a good move.

[@dannysrigid]

The luxury restrictions will effectively reduce the number of permits requested by eliminating many (not all) of the luxury eco-tourist crowd. Even if they implemented a hard reduction in permits, those in "the industry" would see it as an affront to them the same way he thinks the luxury restrictions are. They (the industry) seem to forget that they are guests in a foreign land that don't like what outside culture has brought to their land (trash and waste). The idea that they have any "say" in policy of a nation is absurd. That is proven by the fact that THEY can't climb on the Tibet side of the mountain.

[@pauldavis4287]

Wow. I don’t agree w China very often, requiring 8K meter experience to climb the Tibet side is a winner.

[@EverestMystery]

Absolutely, they are on point, and don't care what people think (for better or worse)

[@sheilaathay2034]

Thank you. It looks like a garbage dump up there. Shame on them that did it , and allowed it. They should close it down for now, at least.

[@lilolmecj]

That is kind of my thought. Close it to climbers for two years, use that time to clean up as much as possible. I am shocked that it has been allowed to reach this point.

[@andvil01]

More luxury means more stuff has to be transported up and down. Means more porters (more human waste) and/or more helicopter flights. I just walked the Annapurna circuit in October. Also a very tourist crowded area. And yes I had botteled water and slept in a bed with sheets. I think it must be possible to find a balance between environmental impact and giving work for the locals. Where this point should be, I can't say. But bringing up heavy beds, a pingpong-table, private stainless steel sinks seems a litle bit excessive.

[@bramsrockhopper3377]

Great video, thank you. If Nepal only issued permits to climbers with experience of climbing above 8,000m, the waste problem would automatically be much reduced. The number of climbers would fall, and also those who climb it would actually have gained some respect for the mountains from their long climbing experiences. Less Sherpas would die too… It’s interesting that Nepal isn’t touching that most necessary restriction. They’re just mucking around with more minor restrictions that we all know will end up resting on the shoulders of porters (literally). Yes it’s important to clean up the mountain and bring rubbish down, but those vast quantities of waste and rubbish have to be brought down by local porters, who all have to seriously harm their health in order to earn their money. The amount of weight each hired porter can carry should also be restricted. At present there’s a scramble for the available jobs that sees the ones promising to carry the most get hired. The porters’ bodies take a terrible toll over their years working on the mountain and many die young or are crippled young. It’s their families who suffer most, as there is little support for ex-porters. That has to be stopped. All the necessary changes are within the abilities of the Nepalese government, but so far they’re far more keen on tourist dollars than on keeping their own people safer or protecting the beauty (and sanctity) of the mountain and the surrounding villages. And of course the tourist climbers will throw their waste bags away. Tourist attitudes to the mountain are largely selfish and terrible, and those of the companies who take the tourists up and down aren’t far off the same given the disgraceful practices that have left Everest and it’s communities in the state they’re now in. This will be a nightmare to police and people will bypass rules where they can, as people always do. Imho

[@majestic7107]

I agree.. I bet if each person had to carry their own luxury items they would be roughing it.. I feel the Sherpas are the ones who pay the price. I feel they should be getting paid a ton of money.. They do all the work and pay the consequences. Most of these ppl wouldn’t be climbing Everest if it wasn’t for the Sherpas. You don’t need furniture and plants 🌱 to decorate your area. Humans will not follow these new policies. They don’t care!

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

Well-said!

[@habituallinestepper8839]

I follow leave no trace principles when I’m in the woods or mountains. I would never want to go to Everest. Climbing feces and dead bodies and standing in line waiting to summit. This should have been done years ago but the greed got in the way.

[@missshroom5512]

I agree! I take a couple bags twice a year and walk a busy side road by my house. I walk the two mile road on each side and remove garbage. Unreal what people throw away. We can all pitch in where ever we life and clean up our earth. It takes me a few hours. Twice a year. Teach your kids early about littering. Make it a family outing. Your kids will take pride in themselves. Win win🌎☀️💙

[@habituallinestepper8839]

@@missshroom5512 that awesome thank you

[@marektrojanowski4022]

Hello. In my humble opinion, all changes regarding environmental protection are very important. But the most important thing is to respect all these changes. Best regards from Poland.

[@MizQue]

Why create an unequal social structure on Everest?

[@user-cw3cy8dl5d]

I saw a tragic story of an actually experienced couple who were part of an expedition she died because there was sooo much grid lock on the mountain that her oxygen ran out and she knew she was dieing and her husband who was helpless had to leave her! The sherpas said you must go down its too late for your wife. He was permanently traumatized and none of this should have happened! Much stricter policies must be in place and i totally disagree with luxury on the sacred mountains come on! Ridiculous!

[@Azuria969]

shouldnt have gone up with the wife

[@samuraiwarriorsunite]

I've literally seen people throw garbage on the street when an empty trash can is less than ten feet away. Some will transport their waste off the mountain, but I doubt the majority will. And since they won't restrict access to the mountain (which is too profitable), this unfortunately will continue

[@jondavies9347]

Absolutely,who will ultimately police this?

[@llc1976]

Make a huge fine associated with it and I bet that would curb it at least.

[@lilolmecj]

100%! There is a mindset that I don’t personally understand I used to pick up trash on my daily walk in Washington DC. There would be liquor bottles smashed against the trash can, and all around either side. I assume it is misguided protest of some sort.

[@Tenebarum]

​@@lilolmecjBut have you ever picked up trash at 28,000 feet in sub zero temperatures and high wind?

[@lilolmecj]

@@Tenebarum nope, never deposited any there either! When these well heeled people go up there they should be prepared to take their trash back down. In the end, if left unchecked it will eventually become impassable due to garbage and feces in addition to the natural challenge. I DO pack out everything I bring with me when I go out into nature, everyone should.

[@juliecoe5318]

It should be a privilege to climb Mt. Everest. done with the utmost respect for the environment . And its people . Take away all the garbage that's been left behind over the years . And close down these resort type tents . There are far too many greedy agencies involved in destroying what was once a pristine environment.

[@bradpanter6559]

I used to want to summit this mountain, but after seeing pics of the crowds and trash, I lost all interest.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

I have been seeing and hearing more people say just what you did more and more. It is losing its attractiveness to go climb to so many. I would never go there with all the trash from people. And especially the dead bodies. Humans are the lowest life from on earth. Animals rule

[@bcb777]

Thank you for posting. I think the large dome camps at base camp are a bit ridiculous and I’m glad to hear of the new regulations. In my view, luxuries such as these lead to inexperienced climbers and overcrowding on the mountain. Both things we can agree are a problem.

[@francescarose1453]

I think that the Sherpas should decide on the luxury items that are carried up to Everest. The mountain holds religious and cultural significance for the Sherpas and they are the people who have to transport and set it all up. I think that their wishes should be respected.

[@EverestMystery]

Yes, I hear you....but to be clear, those luxuries are only at Base Camp, not up the mountain, and the equipment being carried to the mountain essentially puts money into the hands of porters and yak herders, Sherpa, etc. The Nepali operators simply have been outdone in the world of business, and are looking to short circuit good ol' business enterprise because. Truly appreciate you watching the video, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@pauldavis4287]

I’ve been trying to get a wilderness permit for a backpacking trip in Yosemite. I’ve gotta go through a lottery to get my permit. What’s stoping Nepal from reducing the number of Everest permits that are awarded?

[@sisterpamop]

Money, Everest tourism is a major source of income.

[@pwnoonan4049]

Each person pays around I think $12,000 per permit I might be wrong it might be more

[@dainasworldnumbers88]

Money

[@molliwilson5639]

Money

[@loridavis5699]

Money money money.

[@ACSays]

Thank you for this video. When you were talking about the amenities for the Rich, it struck me as odd because Nepal, in general is a very poor country. And they make their money off of people exploring their country and wanting to climb their mountains. I have not climbed Mount Everest, nor do I have a desire to, but I am hiking to Basecamp to experience the beauty of the area. I just don’t see why people need to have TVs at Basecamp. In the 1950s, people managed to climb Everest and to be at Basecamp without all of these luxuries. Just because you can afford it, doesn’t mean you need to do it. Regarding the waste, it is infuriating That people do not think about how they are potentially adversely affecting the mountains. I hope that they do figure out a proper way to address this, that people will actually follow. Regarding the bodies, I’ve watched many documentaries, and I thought it was stated that some of these bodies cannot be removed because they are so buried in thick ice or where they are located, it would be hard to get to. I’m sure all of their families wouldn’t want nothing more than to have their loved ones returned, but it doesn’t seem to be an easy Task. And if you think about China, they have the ability to restrict people, climbing on their side because they’re not so dependent on the tourism versus Nepal. Plus, they also have the resources/manpower to go up there and clean the trash and collect the bodies. Again, these are opinions of someone who is not a professional climber. I look forward to watching more of your videos!

[@turdeaugottago114]

what a shitty situation. everest shouldnt take crap from anyone imo.

[@msbethmildhyperbaricoxygen6392]

One more comment. Concerning the extravagant tents, how many support personnel are required for these? That seems like it would also bring extra unnecessary waste to the mountain. Maybe they can save the extravagance for a private celebration after they summit to help keep the mountain as natural as possible.

[@mgm8822]

These climbers want to bring their houses onto the mountain. Those aren’t tents, they are miniature houses.

[@FoxyJane88]

Nepal has the right to say to western business owners “your way of taking the profit from our mountains are over & you won’t skim profits from our Sherpa’s anymore”

[@SlavGuns]

You might want to think about who carries all those luxuries up. Western climbers are the ones who support and create the economy there. If there are no "luxuries" being brought up, that means that quite a few porters are NOT going to have a job.

[@donbarbaraphillipson6285]

Thanks for the commentary. As a medical professional I have been stunned to learn of the human waste on Everest treks. I am for any amount of regulation to get in place to ensure ‘nothing left behind’. In particular garbage, feces, and the removal of bodies when possible. It’s absolutely in-humane and uncivilized to leave bodies to gawk at when pursuing an‘adventure for glory and bragging rights!! I’m a humatarisn not a zealot! Please establish a’body fund’ to enable reasonable ‘risk dollars’ to ring these victims home to families if at all possible. ( granted, some extractions are impossible) 😮

[@zztop4996]

"some extractions are impossible." Most -- not to mention the high risks to the people trying to chip and chop these folks out of the ice. I think each climber should be required to sign a contract that says if they die up there, they agree that their body will be rolled into a crevasse or off the mountain, before it's frozen in. There would have to be safeguards of some kind to make sure that they're actually and forever dead before that. However, it does seem as though in many cases there's no doubt fairly quickly that, due to the manner of their death, they're as dead as door nails. If families are going to freak out, it's the responsibility of the climbers to let their families know their wishes (what they agreed to) beforehand. Why would any climber hesitate -- nobody seems to think it's going to happen to them.

[@anitavandenbossche2188]

I think that you are right as for the reasons, however some control should be imposed as otherwise the whole mountain will be kind of resorts.

[@donadams5094]

The government of Nepal seems not to understand either supply and demand or externalities. 1. The demand for Everest far exceeds the supply, so prices should go up until the two lines intersect. At that point there would be more revenue and less harm. 2. Externalities are costs not borne by those who generate them. Smog from a factory is one such example. Left unchecked, it's costs are borne by those whose environment and/or health is impacted. The purpose of much legislation is to internalize such costs so that producers and consumers bear the real costs of the thing in question. Needless to say, Nepalese authorities need to internalize the costs of the waste on Everest. Build that into the fees they charge, along with a properly trained and compensated workforce, and the problem would go away. Far fewer people would be able to go, but no one is "owed" the chance to go there. If they can't afford the actual cost of going, letting them do so just costs others the same chance later on as the resource is damaged.

[@michellesartori6695]

I have been thinking a lot about Everest lately what it being 100 years since Mallory and Irvine submitted or not and I read something interesting only a few days back. Apparently Nepal has approved over 500 climbing permits for this year which means that with the Sherpas, guides etc, etc that there will be about 1000 people on Everest's south side. What a travesty and I strongly believe that even MORE climbers will die this year due to the crowds and inexperienced climbers. I further read that China now has a policy that only climbers who have already summited an 8000 metre mountain will recieve a permit for travel through Tibet to the North Face! I wonder what those men and women who are now permanent residents on Everest and who were already experienced climbers before deciding to tackle Everest would think of the chaos which has been bought to this beautiful and spiritual mountain? If they WERE in actual graves then I'm sure they would be turning in them! Thanks for the video! I appreciate it.

[@donnhall9800]

Thank you for your videos. I won't ever climb mountains or travel to Nepal, but watching your videos allows me to know about what is happening in the climbing world. Your videos are very nicely done.

[@pauldavis4287]

Very informative video, thank you Thom.

[@EverestMystery]

Thanks so much...I struggled with the length of this video and figured it would be important to get a bunch of this info out there.... Thanks so much for watching and for supporting the channel!

[@peek-a-moose2491]

Thank you for this. Festering feces is no laughing matter and WAG bags sound great, but only two per climber???? And as you state, will they really take them down. All the garbage needs to be taken off of Everest. Close the mountain and clean it up first before opening it. It might be difficult above 7,000 and particularly 8,000 meters, but perhaps each climber could take down one empty discarded gas tank from the balcony or elsewhere as they descend. I doubt the Nepalese officials will really close the mountain or lower the number of people they give permits too. Too much money that goes into the pockets of officials ruling with impunity.... I have to disagree with you on the luxuries. Double beds and ping pong tables and big flat screen televisions at Base Camp!!! Climbing for Softies is what I would call my expedition company if I had one. Not a bad name, eh?. A base camp should not be compared with staying at the Ritz Carlton VIP rooms or the Four Seasons. It is appalling. If luxury is what you want, go to a spa in Big Sur or Capetown or the French Riviera. But on Everest? Personally, I'd rather have my own adventures away from the maddening crowd, but I find all these amenities at 17,500 feet totally absurd and unethical. This is not about disliking the people who can afford luxuries, this is about mountaineering. It's about the Freedom of the Hills (I still have my first edition battered copy.) This is about experiencing a mountain. Let's turn Everest back into the formidable wilderness it once was. Spas and luxury resorts are fine, but not on mountains. (I don't even like the "huts" in the White Mountains, even though I like their food. But wouldn't it be better if there was only a few emergency shelters up there. As far as individual tents with en suite bathrooms with queen size beds and plush rugs and insulated walls and furniture. That is completely insane. Go on safari in Kenya or Botswana if you want that. If you are climbing a mountain, then respect the wilderness and the mountain and be a true climber and respect the environment and the culture. Goodbye big dome tents. All those helicopters should be banned too, except for emergencies. Wilderness ethics should be the rule on Mt. Everest. Perhaps then inexperienced climbers will think twice about trying to summit and will save their lives and perhaps those of Sherpas who risk their lives always trying to save someone's life. A Sherpa's job is hard enough. Scaling a mountain like Everest is not for those who have a bucket list but little experience. I always hear the same things about very expensive safaris where I now live in Africa. They are always improving the lives of people and protect the environment. It is just PR, just as I believe the big expedition companies on Everest spout their PR while leaving garbage all over the place. The proposed rules aren't for the benefit of the expedition companies, granted. They are for the benefit of the mountain and its surroundings. There are too many people on Everest. Too many lives lost unnecessarily. Too many families destroyed. I hate to say this but please take a step back. Your videos are great, but in this one you appear to be an apologist for these large expedition companies without spending any time on the reasons for getting rid of all these luxuries. So I ask you very respectfully to please take a step back. Ask yourself this. If the expedition companies really cared about the mountain and the safety of people, wouldn't they have already put in place strategies to keep the mountain clean and agreed to limits on clients attempting the summit of Everest. Maybe a small amount of the money gets to the locals, but honestly the big millions of dollars in profits goes back home to Australia, or Europe or the USA. The expedition companies may have good PR, but the evidence is clear they continue to operate with little true regard to the filth of mountains and the consequences of life and death due to overcrowding of clients. Further, do we really need a small city at 17,500 feet on Everest. It is not a base camp anymore, but a playground. Wouldn't it be great to restore the pristine nature of the mountain, to reduce the pollution and garbage, and do away with the noise pollution from choppers and blaring televisions. Honestly, the base camp as it has been operating on Everest is an ugly scar on the mountain. In some of your wonderful videos you have admitted that there are too many people on the mountain who endanger one another. Perhaps these rules will substantially reduce the hundreds of climbers and support teams on the mountain during the short climbing season. It would be a breath of fresh air. Some of the expedition businesses will either have to adapt or go out of business. Everything changes. We have to have priorities. Safe climbing and a clean mountain environment should be the priority. Not money and profit motive, which has proven to lead to many deaths and a filthy mountain. And just like Africa, if a luxury tax or surcharge was instituted, I doubt that most of the funds will never ever get to the people who need it. But the PR mavens and gov't will say it does. I would also suggest giving the porters a substantial raise for risking their lives placing ladders, fixing ropes, and carving out a trail for the neophytes (and even the professionals) to follow,and even putting their lives at risk to save others who will go back to their countries and lives and forget about the Sherpas who made it all possible..

[@user-cw8hw8vo7g]

Anaerobic Digestion is a wholly natural process with great potential not only in the mountains but also in many other deprived areas. The process will take any organic material including human bodies and convert it into methane, heat and fertiliser. Spread the word !!!

[@dainasworldnumbers88]

I wouldn’t even want to do this now. It seems so tainted!

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

So many are saying this now.

[@sunsetlights100]

Nepal quite poor country that's why bit messy up there & remote

[@dainasworldnumbers88]

@@sunsetlights100 yes, very sad. I’m from Boulder colorado and I know a lot of people that have gone. It’s changed now.

[@sunsetlights100]

@@dainasworldnumbers88when ya say gone ya mean trecking climbing accident or ? boulder Co I've visited Ive heard great alpine climbing region of US risky yes I'm in NZ a number of climbers lost on our highest peak Mt Cook just 12000ft but very technical

[@krisushi1]

I care for the environment no matter where it is. I do think the use of these waste bags is a good idea, yet there will always be those like you mentioned who will toss theirs into a crevasse as soon as no-one is looking. It's human nature. My goodness, we've been carrying around little plastic bags to pick up after our canines for ages now when walking around the block and I'm surprised a program like this has taken so long to put into affect. As for the luxury items being brought up to Base Camp, I really don't see a need for it. I feel that those setting up these 'glamping' tents are not aiming at the climbers but want to attract tourists to Base Camp only. Does Everest honestly need a bunch of tourists flooding in now that are only coming to Base Camp and expect luxurious accommodation? This will only mean more people on the mountain, (more waste), and continuous helicopter flights to not only bring in the endless tourists but all of the supplies that are needed to erect these monstrosities of unneeded dome tents. Do you really need a table tennis table, bean bags to laze in to enjoy the view and flashing lights that will impact others trying to rest in their tents. Coffee machines etc., where is all the power coming from to run all these luxuries? Just imagine trying to rest up for a few days and being kept awake by helicopters all day long. How about being respectful to those who are there to climb the mountain. It just sounds to me that they are trying to turn Everest into a resort. I'm unable to climb because of severe injury, yet I am able to hike and camp. I spent five years straight on the road with my faithful canine companion and the garbage I witnessed in remote areas made me see red. I was always going around cleaning up other campers mess and either burning it or taking the garbage with mine when I left. I'm in no condition to being doing this but I care for the environment so much that I just can't leave the rubbish there. From what I've seen of pictures from Everest, this garbage problem from the climbers, especially oxygen tanks need to be cleaned up before even considering bringing in 'Base Camp tourists'. If I was able to get to Base Camp, I would not expect anything different than what all others do. What's the point of reaching this spectacular place, only to set yourself up in luxury and not experience it as all others do. You don't expect to find luxurious dome tents when camping on flat ground when enjoying the great outdoors in the Outback or wilderness, so why should it be any different on Everest? If you can't endure the conditions, then find another destination! As for this waste management system, why isn't the Nepalese Gov't putting in the money to get it done? They're the ones profiting off each climber with $11,000 per permit. When you consider how many climbers pay for permits in one season alone, that should well and truly cover the cost. They want the climbers coming to bring money into the country, so the least they can do is build this system. It surprises me that after all this time of talking about cleaning up the mountain, still not much has been done. I have continuously heard about plans to get bodies from the mountain since a child and yet it still hasn't been done several decades later. I'm tired of hearing nothing but talk, yet no action. Plans are always being made but when do they ever come to fruition? I've loved the outdoors since a very young child and have been lucky enough to have seen much of it over the world. I was fascinated by watching the Jacques Cousteau documentaries throughout my childhood and grew up with a respect for the environment, wherever it was. Don't talk about any plans about implementing this or that until it's actually underway as a reality. When you've been hearing the same plans for over four decades without any action, I'll remain pessimistic until these plans are finally achieved.🇦🇺💖

[@AussieWalkabout74]

If you want luxuries, go to a 5 star hotel. Everest should be for earnest, genuine climbers. I’m not a climber - can hardly get up a ladder - this is my unbiased opinion.

[@brycedyck8450]

Surely luxury tents, luxury food, led lights, etc, require extra people to carry up the valley to base camp. Then all these extra porters need to eat, and poop. Not sure how you missed that fact, bud?

[@rockyroad7345]

Treating a death defying endeavor like a luxury glamping trip is pretty sick.

[@amandastuart8294]

It’s about time!! This should have been done years ago! I can’t believe all the trash that is left behind every year. I can’t believe how people litter at such a beautiful place. Love the idea of no luxury tents also.

[@deecawford]

If they make them check in upon return to base camp with their used bag to turn in would help. Fine the company they climbed with. That way the company will be constantly asking do you have you dung

[@markmoreno7295]

There is no way I could climb Sagarmatha simply because of the altitude. Maybe after a long trek I could make base camp. As far as luxuries, I would love to stop by a venerable Nepalese tea house and have real tea with yak milk. That to me would be a luxury. The only harm I can see with luxuries at base camp is that someone must bring that stuff there and take it back down. If that means ‘copters then that would tend to add pollution too. Otherwise yes, to each his own. I agree that waking up in the middle of the night, having to put your boots back on, and trudge across a slippery expanse of ice while groggy, just to go to “make water” is what I like least about camping in winter conditions. But when I go I know it is a choice that I made. If certain companies provide luxuries for a price, only if this increases the number of clients up at base camp do I see an issue. Obviously the fewer the number of climbers on the mountain the less the environmental impact will be. Although I don’t see why Nepal must go out of their way to punish would be climbers. Maybe they are making more than enough money on permit charges already and are trying to figure out a way to curtail things. Whatever it takes to clean things up seems like the end goal, and a worthy one.

[@Azuria969]

nah fam I piss next to someone camp whats you gonna do about it?

[@davidd6171]

This was so fascinating! Thanks for covering this aspect of the mountain and the local dilemma of culture and economics!

[@GemintheMud]

Trash everywhere - not just on Everest angers and dismays me. I have to pick up a bag of trash before being able to enjoy any outdoor experience I have. Those that do this have no respect for nature or others, and are blind to or just want to destroy beauty in their pursuit of pathetic bragging rights. Their sense of entitlement is staggering. I loved lockdown because at least it kept people at bay.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

Well said!! Humans are the lowest life forms on earth. Animals rule!!!

[@crystalheart9]

He said people don't care about trash along the road but I do. It makes me sick to see trash all along the road when I drive by. I pick up trash when ever I can.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

@@crystalheart9 I am with you!!!! It is disgusting. When I was a small child, there was a commerical on TV that advertised against littering on side of road. And the end of the commercial after a couple threw out trash out of their car window while driving by this American Indian standing on the side of the road - the American Indian looked right into the camera over the TV and a tear was streaming down his face. Everybody from my generation is still impacted by that commercial to this VERY DAY. That was 1972.

[@crystalheart9]

I remember that commercial. There doesn't seem to be any type of road cleaning anymore. The trash is everywhere along roadsides. It's really disturbing to see it building up more and more.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

@@crystalheart9 It is disusting. People today are disgusting.

[@nikkiw7119]

I’m not a mountain climber, but as a backpacker - I believe everyone enjoying outdoor spaces should practice Leave No Trace regardless of their net worth. Wag bags are becoming more and more of a requirement on trails that too many humans are causing a poop problem, and in ecosystems that don’t easily break down the waste in a cat hole. Seriously, I can’t wrap my brain around someone having the desire to watch a television during an Everest experience … but again, I’m just a backpacker Thank you for this video!

[@mickharrison9004]

Good work mate ,thanks for your time with this situation 🤝

[@nancysmith2295]

I appreciate what you are sharing.

[@EverestMystery]

Thank you, I'm happy that you're here and enjoying it

[@debs4013]

Have been watching lots of Everest documentaries, yours is the first one that has shown how the rich people live at base camp. My husband and I were absolutely astounded by the ridiculous luxurious living. The only thing they’re missing is a Starbucks and a spa. Understand they need to rest but come on. The excessive amount of expensive bean bags, chairs, steel washing stations, carpets (which blew my mind) . How do they get their minds and souls ready to climb I would never understand with all these distractions. Unfortunately Everest is now just an ego photo ready to be taken, and so many unprepared rich , entitled people try to climb, and with all these luxuries in place doesn’t really tell them the true dangers climbing everest can bring. It should go back to how it was years ago, less climbers and only ones with experience. Feel sorry for the Sherpas who have to pander to these types of people.

[@nicosmeets1709]

Living for the past 40 years in Nepal and mostly in Everest region, I appreciate your video. Let's all work together and implement the new Nepal government regulations

[@EverestMystery]

Fantastic having you here....truly appreciate that you watched and took the time to comment. Thank you!

[@suggestor2]

Yes! I'm all for keeping it pristine! Pack I in, pack it out!

[@suggestor2]

Oops! Typo! Pack it in, pack it out!

[@FoxyJane88]

If you can’t sleep without being raised off the floor, sorry western business owners but Nepal is saying Everest just ain’t for those people & thats their right

[@msbethmildhyperbaricoxygen6392]

One question, if each climber only gets two bags that doesn’t seem like enough to last for their time on the mountain. Would they get additional bags or are these only to be used for the upper camps?

[@NotTheRealRogerMurdock]

I told you some six months ago...SHUT EVEREST DOWN for two years. Let the mountain heal while working on the waste issue. LOVE getting rid of all the luxuries! Put those SKU's on the bags so they can be tracked. Scanned before going up...so they better have them for scanning when they return.

[@Azuria969]

how about no? lol its a mountain lol its not alive

[@johnhelm6231]

I would just build some stairs all the way to the top and an escalator some elevators a train bus cabs a airport just build a canal with locks and dams just cut the top of the mountain off in half a mile.

[@crystalheart9]

I care very much about the trash I see along the roads as I drive by. It's getting worse all the time. I pick up trash where ever I go. It's isn't just an occasional bottle or can it's solid trash all along the roads. We need to do better were ever we are on the road or on the mountain.

[@honeyLXIX]

think that part of the reason people don't like the luxurious domes and stuff is that sometimes you just want to go out into nature and experience nature, and not more of society and its luxuries--especially if they're not fortunate enough to be partaking in the luxuries like you mentioned. 😅

[@strattonskier7229]

If you can afford the climb Everest you can add a couple of hundred dollars to support the environment and locals. It’s the least they can do. Without the locals very few would make it to the top.

[@H0lland0ates79]

Great video good sir. I appreciate your clear and detailed way of speaking about Everest and the issues it’s facing. As a recreational backpacker I would think the age old rule of pack out what you pack in would be infinitely times more followed there and the other big mountains of our planet

[@louiseguglielmetti7477]

Your video was very informative! Thank you! 💜

[@kangacrew540]

I would applaude the sherpa community and the Nepal government to actively think about the environment on and surrounding areas of Mt Everest park. Frozen shit dont go anywhere. When i saw aehile back people gramping in dome tents i thought how embarrassing to be seen so nurtured like kings and the stark contrast to the poor sherpa people. What a fast. Your hotel example dosnt really cut it as the normal tents would be freezing

[@EverestMystery]

Frozen sh*t melts....into the glacier and flows downhill toward the villages...it's a problem.

[@kangacrew540]

It's already a problem and it's worse now you mentioned that!

[@mysurfing3550]

They should register all equipment with serial numbers, a deposit is left to pay someone to go get it. If they leave stuff their deposit is lost but if they bring everything back they get thier deposit back. Also, companies that have too much stuff loss lose their ability to get future authorization to have climbers.

[@dalemcmurray-hn6sc]

The amount of money from a few climber could easily. Could afford plywood shelters, the only shelters perhaps they won’t cost hundreds of thousands of dollars perhaps $1000 apiece the money from a few climbers could pay for all the garbage pick up the tents, the cans the trash. The only thing they seem to care about is the oxygen bottles as they’re valuable, and will be reused again someone is making an incredible amount of money. and it’s literally disgusting that all of these hikers from all around the world have left it as a refuse pile there should be $1000 automatically from every climber used to clean the refuse the human feces. The garbage collection of the bodies are proper disposal. it’s disgusting to think of those that are just making a great amount of wealth. And as usual, not caring about the nature of the area or the beauty, but that happens all over the world doesn’t it?❤DALE. That’s more than enough money to clean it up the fact that it’s not shows the greed and the lack of concern to do the right thing

[@melindahall5062]

Considering the fact that tourist dollars are a huge part of the Sherpas’ income and Nepal’s economy it will be unlikely that Everest will be totally closed. The mountain needs rest and teams have to go up and clean. That’s it! If a climber wants to climb they’re welcome to join a cleanup crew!

[@marysimmon7388]

What about urine…..also a biohazard?

[@vossti]

13 tons of crap a year!!😮 goodness theres that much traffic up there?... damn... And i really dont see why you should have 5-star luxury service for going up everest! Wheres the thrill in that?!!

[@EverestMystery]

That number (huge number!) includes all of Base Camp, as well, which includes literally hundreds of people who are employed in the business of running Everest (porters, cooks, yak herders) and will never step foot on the mountain itself.... Still, it doesn't lessen the impact of that shocking number. Thank you for watching!

[@Hilda619]

Pay to pollute. Sickening behavior by those with money.

[@biasilva6005]

I found your channel by accident and immediately followed after the first video. Really good content, thank you for making these great videos!

[@EverestMystery]

Thanks so much, I'm really happy you're enjoying it!

[@Aalisrocklist]

If Nepal doesn't want any more luxury at base camp, then there you have it. Period. Not wasting energy debating that, I don't vote there, my man.

[@banaabekwegirl5731]

23:10 - so, Nepal gets blamed and shamed for being too greedy and letting all manner of slipshod rich foreigners litter the mountain with garbage and bodies - Emergency! Pollution! Shocking! - and then when Nepal exercises their sovereign right to change the rules as swiftly and strongly as possible, the foreigners cry foul? Come on. If the expedition operators are serious, and know better than the Nepalis, why not pro-actively offer to clean up their act? Lead the way, don't wait til you're forced to change. Also, if it's so okay to bring in big screen TVs etc to Base Camp, why not fill 'First World' Dark Sky preserves, National Parks, etc, with such luxuries first? Might as well install lights and pave the paths up Everest, right? It would still be the same, wouldn't it? Opinions of a non-climber here.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Thanks for sharing this. I have never been there, but am friends with a Sherpa. I also recently met a non-climber heading to Nepal. One of his goals when he is there is to help the local people pick up trash left behind. Every little bit helps.

[@zztop4996]

This is a fascinating video, Thom. Thank you. I've heard that the almost constant sound of helicopters is really bad. It would drive me insane and take so much away from the natural beauty of the sounds and silence of nature I'd want to enjoy. I understand that, while some are giving tours or dropping people off at base camp vs walking in, some are ferrying people up to camp 1 and 2 to avoid the icefall. I've heard rumor that for safety reasons there's also been talk about possibly ferrying everything (people, gear, etc.) up beyond the icefall. If true, can that be one of the reasons they want to get choppers out of there? I mean, if everything is ferried past the icefall, possibly there would be job loss because fewer sherpas would be needed.

[@Dinkys999]

Great channel.

[@EverestMystery]

I appreciate you saying so, thank you!

[@somjasa]

Listen to Kanchha Sherpa and respect the people of Nepal. "Kanchha Sherpa, the last survivor of the 1953 Everest expedition, highlights the critical issues of pollution and overcrowding on the world's highest peak." (From an article I found in "The Peoples’ Network, BNN" Dated: 02 Mar 2024 )

[@bdctrans70]

I am wondering if they imposed these regulations so that they had an excuse not to allow as many permits as they did in previous years?

[@humbertsmith8864]

Amazing, provocative video Thom. The new Mayor of Kathmandu is apparently cleaning up the city, so that's a good sign as well. Sure looked better last month when I was there. Porters will likely be the ones carrying it out from Everest as usual...unless they have allergies to corn or peanuts 😁

[@EverestMystery]

I hope to get back to KTM soon and see for myself. Thank you for watching!

[@humbertsmith8864]

Thank you! Yes there is a measure of hope, as a few independents won in some larger areas, not (so far) entrenched in that corruption.@@EverestMystery

[@LoveeTV1]

I believe as an athletic outdoor worker, the restrictions ‘ supposing to reduce waste etc’ is actually a way to reduce the number of ‘frivolous’ unprepared hikers - lower the level of amenities and the real nitty gritty people will be the customer and they are better prepared probably for the climb- also- people bring gear and supplies proportional to the amount of room and comfort they have- lower that level of space and that will also get them down to only ‘what is needed’ which therefore impacts the level of supplies etc that would have to be brought back down or discarded - killing the same two birds but in a round about way- no skin in the game but as a tourism operator in Florida- I see why there needs to be a level of discomfort so that the ‘kind’ of customer is more able and prepared to handle the extreme conditions to come

[@NefariousEnough]

Thanks, Thom. I am afraid of the future.

[@Melanie-Shea]

I see three main options. All of them involve the Nepalese government leveling fines for leaving trash and waste. 1) Logistics only support. Stuff gets hauled to base camp, base camp cooks and other services. Climbers could be made to pay a communal fee for setting up fixed ropes and ladders. No direct guiding in the mountain would be allowed. Result is a smaller user group and a higher skill level. But Nepal doesn’t want that because 💰 2) Logistics support and direct guiding on the mountain allowed, but no fixed ropes / ladders. Or, no fixed ropes or ladders allowed above the khumbu icefall. I like this option the best, guiding is still allowed, being a reputable guide service becomes way more important, the user group is smaller and higher skilled, fixed ropes aren’t left to litter the place like in the other two options. A big downside is that the increase in difficulty would likely lead to more O2 bottles and other gear being left in higher camps if I’m being realistic. This would also greatly cut into Nepalese profits from summit permits. Personally I hate fixed ropes in a climb, stop leveling the mountain to your ability, show up and do what you can. I wouldn’t feel nearly as accomplished if I pulled on some ladder, it’s not the same. The ropes and ladders literally get in the way of trying to climb, they can’t just be “ignored”. 3) They can try just implementing fines for people / guiding services that don’t clean up but to be frank bribing would be rampant. They would still have a very large and unskilled user base. It is a very hard to fix problem, to many people recreating AND they don’t have a local connection to the place. It’s just a destination to them and then they leave it behind. A lot of the people climbing are not “climbers” and the sherpas / guides see this as a cash cow industry. Don’t get me wrong, people have pride in the love of Everest in their Sherpa community, but it isn’t enough to solve the magnitude of the issue. If I had it my way the khumbu icefall wouldn’t have ladders either. Glacier travel (or getting around it) is a significant part of the package when it comes to climbing big mountains. A to bypass around the khumbu has now been soloed twice in winter that I know of, the grade is m4, frankly that is not too high of an ask for someone attempting the worlds highest peak. If guiding is allowed than it wouldn’t take that much prep for a client to be guided through that. But, most of the local guides don’t have the skill level to pull m4. Maybe I’m a prick but I don’t think a moderate mixed climbing grade is that crazy for what is literally the worlds tallest peak.

[@nancycunningham4225]

People should be willing to pay in advance to have their body hold off the mountain. That way the Sherpas will be reimbursed, and they should also include a fee for having a Sherpa body hauled off the mountain if that Sherpa falls to his death, trying to recover a body.

[@debzthomson9671]

hallelujahhh! about time!!

[@pwnoonan4049]

I'm guessing due to altitude sickness there's a lot of diarrhea on camp 4

[@bucstime1270]

Ironic that the talk all off-season was how Nepal might step in to prevent 17 more people from dying on the mountain in a single year, and whether they would have stricter permitting requirements, ect... AND what they came up with was human doggie bags and less luxuries for the climbers...

[@bucstime1270]

And yes the doggie bags are important for the enviroment but that is not the point I was making....

[@steveshea8827]

Alas Nepal has few consistent sources of capital. Mountaineering permits and the attendant money spent by expeditions on food, guest houses, along with all the other costs associated with travel is a huge part of Nepal's annual income. Until another viable source is found to augment or replace it there will be little change. Extra fees and poo bags won't make much of a dent with the current amount of traffic. I was on the north side in '86 and the south in '91. The Tibetan side was relatively pristine compared to the dung heap in the south. And that was almost forty years ago. I'd hate to see it now.

[@EverestMystery]

Steve, thanks for watching! Several friends of mine were there in '91 on the south. I did a film about it called Thin Air, which coincidentally aired on PBS Boston (WGBH) two days after the 1996 disaster. Nova bought the film and it went national. I'm sure the mountain is a different place than it was in 1991, that is for sure....I would imagine when you were there it was more like the wild west. Cheers and thanks so much for watching!

[@redneckReno]

Interesting. Non climber here but enjoy climbing content.

[@allisonspringer8889]

Could it be that the Nepalese are equating those who can afford luxuries with inexperienced climbers?

[@djdanutica]

Sounds like VIP experiences and more money for outside commercial businesses. Power to the Locals for pushing back and making these new changes.

[@skullsaintdead]

I think I might have figured it out. The Nepalese govt only gets one permit fee per climber & the more people they can fit in base camp & on the mountain, the more revenue they make. Big spenders make the Nepalese govt no extra money (thinking short-sighted, not about long-term tourism dollars). Also, aren't the worst offenders the really cheap expedition providers anyway? Like the ones that essentially just buy permits & sell them, while leaving no team management on the mountain, no toilets, no insurance, no choppers for emergency evacs, no vetting to ensure climbers are fit & mentally prepared to go to Everest. But the more of them there are, the more permit money the govt makes.

[@kimberlycampbelllmt2960]

I am an avid hiker, although never climbed giants such as everest. As long as I can remember, there has been a pack it in, pack it out mentality. I like the idea of the poo bags and people being responsible for their own waste. If some can do it, all can do it. The bad policies of all tbe waste, including trash, o2bottles being left behind for others to step over has always confused me. How can a person love the mountain , yet trash the the mountain? I think people should be able to have luxuries if they can afford it, as this brings revenue for the towns.

[@Max-ik9qb]

preserving a natural environment is actually realllly easy, just keep humans completely away from it.

[@bradpanter6559]

I don’t, or can’t, entirely disagree with you here. But we are part of the natural environment and shouldn’t be restricted from enjoying it. We just have to be decent about it and maintain reverence.

[@dranchd6571]

@@bradpanter6559 Humans are part of the natural environment, but that is not their natural environment so they should not be there. They are casually destructive. Arrogance and entitlement is their downfall.

[@sisterpamop]

That will not happen, so a solution, even an imperfect solution needs to be found.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

@@sisterpamop humans are the most disgusting life forms on the EARTH

[@em84c]

There is definitely a way to keep it clean while letting people climb. I think the issue is there's currently no accountability or consequences for leaving rubbish behind. There should be fines for the expedition company if they don't take everything with them. And they could lose the right to operate on the mountain. Maybe they have to show video of how the campsite looks when they leave? Or have inspectors that come. The government could set up security cameras at the camps to see who is leaving rubbish. The cameras could be taken down at the end of the season, so not there permanently. It seems easiest if everyone is responsible for their own poo. I feel sorry for the porters having to carry tubs of shit down the mountain. You should be able to buy containers that trap odours to store your poo bags in.

[@jjzap2935]

Thom.. this will be interesting especially considering the level of corruption in small countries like Nepal. Seems obvious to me very little if any of the permit $$ collected over the years wasn't put back into enlivening the resource Everest is for Nepal. I bet you a dollar that if my brother from another mother Scott Fischer wouldn't have perished in '96 there would be no mess to clean . He and our Mountain Madness team removed tons of garbage that season. Which was the first real effort towards clean up as far as I'm aware.

[@margoriebrodie2303]

Absolutely agree with luxury tax. Not sure II agree with your fee-market analysis, however

[@somjasa]

I got my opinion about no luxury tents, etc... had mainly to do with the shrinking available area to put tent in. Saw a video recent where BC in Nepal has gotten a lake instead of being part of the frozen glacier.

[@Mila_Brearey]

That lake has aways been there, but the glacier is melting a bit more, like all glaciers. Sad.

[@somjasa]

Ok I didn't know that, thought of it more like a stream from the melting glaciers., it affected me much since the guide and the video creator got really upset and said that the area had changed so much in a very short time.@@Mila_Brearey

[@badbilly1083]

I just saw a video from camp 4 from 5/20-5/21 and the report was not good. The accumulation of human waste has resulted in an incredibly foul smell that is affecting climbers.

[@sc29607]

A government has not to explain anything to operators, fact is… the less goes up, the less impact to the mountain and the environment. Period. Surely I believe that CTSS means what they say but at the end of the day, they a re earning money by bringing up all that stuff to base camp. Climbing a mountain is not about comfort or making money, it’s about self control and sacrificing some comforts by going up. If you take it blunt it’s about ego and self indulgence and selfishness paired with ignorance by mankind. Like I stated in the beginning, the less goes up the better for the environment and the nature. If this means less people up the mountain to not support the ego of some inexperienced climbers the better for the mountain. Sure it has an impact on the workers in Nepal but there are ways around it when those workers would get paid better than nowadays. Sure they earn a lot of money compared to normal Nepalese people but still not enough for what they are doing, but the companies fill their pockets with a lot of money… it also reduces use the amount of deaths on that mountains I’m sure.

[@tm13tube]

Skill proving climbing other mountains before allowed to climb. Raise cost to cover fund for family members of the sherpas, life insurance sufficient to take care of families who have lost their breadwinner.

[@foyorama]

I was in the base camp of everest in 1978, I thought there was trash then I can't imagine how it is now.... sad.

[@aikimommee]

they’ll just raise the prices; and tbh I don’t think everyone is going to prioritize the wag bag

[@EverestMystery]

It will be verrrry interesting to see what happens. Thank you for watching

[@Mila_Brearey]

Nepal's high elevation environment can't effectively decompose the bags & their contents anyway, so imposing this is no solution at all. Does Nepal even have a "dump" for garbage and something for waste? Not one garbage can exists in Nepal ... also, where does their human waste go?