Traffic jams on Everest

I am fascinated by the whole Everest experience. I had even wanted to visit base camp until I read more about it. I never had a desire to climb it though.

I think one thing would help the traffic problem. The climber should be able to demonstrate a certain level of proficiency before being issued a permit. So many people who are not experienced literally get pulled to the summit by sherpas or guides, just because they want to do it and can afford it.

I have to wonder, do those people not know Southeast Asia exists? That they could be sitting on a beautiful warm totally flat beach with breathable air? Mountain climbing mystifies me.

I agree there are a lot of them that shouldn't be there.
This was covered on one of our news bulletins yesterday when they interviewed a very experience Everest, among many other climbs he had done ( can't recall his name now) but he was saying that inexperience climbers is the biggest problem and creates situation like what we see in this photo. The inexperience ones slow everyone down and  this in turn creates the line. The permits are issued as normal but they have no idea if some of those climbers have the experience or physical preparation to make the climb. When the next set of permits are given out some of  the previous inexperience climbers have not got as far as they should have and so it goes on. Controlling the permits then causes base camp to become overcrowded. It's a vicious circle but they have to do something, it's an " accident" waiting to happen.

I don't know how they can control the permits though without limiting the rights of the more experienced/career climbers........how does one tell if someone has the experience or is physically fit to do the climb?

I don't think photos such as this help either because some idiots out there are going to think it's a piece of cake and decide they will try and do it too.

I know!!!  I walked out of there bawling, I cried all the way home.

i rode motorcycles as a kid. At 54, I’m not going to ever getting on a motorcycle again. I’ve almost hit bikes in my blind spot. I have limited time left on earth, I’m not taking any chances that are going to kill me any sooner than necessary. DH was just talking about getting a motorcycle and I told him he’d be riding alone or he needs to find a girlfriend to go with him

I also won’t ride my bicycle on city streets. I don’t like riding on the one residential street between me and the trail. A car almost took me out by pulling right in front of me. I feel my mortality since I passed 50. I’m going out kicking and screaming.

Did you watch Ben Fogle’s programme recently? I didn’t get the impression of that much overcrowding from that, despite the window to climb to the peak being so short. Strange.

I don't think it would be that hard to put in a permit system. In the US there are permit systems for hikes/climbs to prevent overcrowding both for the protection of people and the land. They don't base it on experience however. The only place I have seen that is requirements to apply for certain ultramarathons.

I think the problem for Everest is that it is a source of revenue they rely on and I am sure they are reluctant to curtail that. But they might have to.

They might not even need to go on experience - fewer people would lessen the impact of the traffic jams.

They could have climbers submit an application with experience, although I agree this can be hard to judge. But many of experienced climbers will have already made some significant climbs and likely have proof (they have gone with a guide who can verify, etc).

Also, I am sure the majority, if not all, inexperienced climbers are with a guiding agency as they are relying on the Sherpas to do all the work and carry them if necessary. The government can be more strict with the companies and how they vet their climbers. If they continually bring inexperienced clbers that put others at risk, then they can deny those companies permits or access. I know that it is not perfect because some of that is subjective - even experienced climbers can run into unexpected problems - but that is a big difference from someone who doesn't know how to properly use crampons and an ice axe.

In New Hampshire they had to institute a "Hike Safe" card for purchase. If they have to do a SAR for a hiker who does not have this card and they are found negligent, they have to pay for the rescue. There is a question about who makes that decision and how, but from what I have seen, it hasn't been too hard to distinguish between the people who set out without a map, headlamp or jacket and get into trouble or the person who is well prepared and gets caught in an unexpected situation.