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How Has Mt Everest Tourism Affected Nepal?

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How Has Mt Everest Tourism Affected Nepal?

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The easiest way to get a grip on how much money Nepal takes in from tourism is to take a close look at what the Everest tourist spends. You might be surprised how quickly the numbers climb.

If you're one of the 25,000 annual Everest tourists, getting into Nepal for more than a three-day stay will only run you $30 [source: Nepal Tourism Board]. But that's just the beginning of the tab. If you want to climb one of the major Himalayan mountains, you need a government-issued climbing permit. Although you can hike more than a hundred of the smaller peaks for free, who wants to play in the sandbox when the beach is next door?

Mountains taller than 21,300 feet (6,501 meters) are premium property. That base height costs $1,000 and increases $500 for every 1,640 feet (500 meters). Since Mount Everest stands at a staggering 29,029 feet (8,848 meters), the permit will run around $3350.

Now that you've got your permit, you're ready to start climbing, right? Not quite. If you want to take the most common route to the top of Everest, you'll owe the Nepal government a $25,000 royalty fee for yourself or up to $70,000 for a seven-person expedition crew [source: Nepal Mountain News].

Can't afford it? Wait until the off-season. To increase Everest tourism during the colder months of the year, the Nepalese government announced in 2007 that it was trying to cut royalty fees for people interested in climbing Everest during fall and winter. If the proposed plan goes into effect, a September through November climb will be 50 percent off the regular price and one from December to February will be 75 percent lower. If you're lured into the sales price, Nepal winds up raking in off-season tourism money.

Once you get to the Khumbu region, there are other expenses as well, such as lodging, food and any additional supplies that aren't covered in your expedition fees. In addition to trekking businesses, more than 300 hotels and lodges have sprung up from the tourism, many of which are owned by the local Sherpa people [source: Reid and Kendrick]. Some people turn their homes into tea houses, or overnight lodging, for tourists who want a more "authentic" Himalayan experience. Hundreds of Nepalese men from other areas swarm into Khumbu as well, hoping to get work as porters on expeditions, hauling trekking equipment up Everest slopes on their backs. Even the high-altitude Buddhist monasteries draw income from passing tourists.

However, tourism carries its own price as well in the form of environmental destruction. Read on to learn about the environmental repercussions of Mount Everest tourism.

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How has Mount Everest tourism affected Nepal?

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The easiest way to get a grip on how much money Nepal takes in from tourism is to take a close look at what the Everest tourist spends. You might be surprised how quickly the numbers climb.

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Thirteen-year-old Jordan Romero is now the youngest climber to reach the top of the world, Mount Everest.

On Saturday, Jordan reached the summit with his dad, a paramedic, his dad's girlfriend, and three Nepalese sherpas. The young Californian has now climbed the tallest mountains on six of the world's seven continents. He summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at age 9.

When he got to the top of Everest, Romero called his mom.

"He says, 'Mom, I'm calling you from the top of the world,'" a giddy Leigh Anne Drake told The Associated Press from California, where she had been watching her son's progress minute by minute on his blog, which showed his ascent on map that displayed a GPS tracker

Jordan's feat is sure to fuel a debate about teenagers pushing the limits of achievement.

The Nepalese government would not give the family permission to climb Everest from Nepal, citing Jordan's age. To make the ascent, Jordan's team went from the Chinese side, a more difficult approach, but where there is no age restriction.

The issue of age arose on May 16, too, when Australian Jessica Watson, at 16, became the youngest person to sail around the world solo, non-stop and unassisted. She spent seven months at sea alone.

Jessica was the latest of several teens making solo circumnavigations of the globe. It's reached the point where the World Speed Sailing Record Council has abolished its "youngest" category, in an effort to discourage such attempts.

Abby Sunderland, a 16-year-old Californian, is currently five months into her own solo sail around the world. She landed in Cape Town, South Africa on May 21. Her teenage brother, Zac, completed an around the world solo sail, last year.

"I wouldn't let her go at 13, or at 14 or at 15," Laurence Sunderland told the Los Angeles Times last year. "There's a strength factor and they need to be mentally grounded in what this entails. It's not a frivolous thing. The ocean is terrifying and you have to be prepared for all the adversities that it throws at you."

A Dutch judge stopped a 13-year-old girl from trying to sail around the world last year. The Dutch Child Protection Agency had asked that Laura be placed under state custody, calling her plan to spend about two years circumnavigating the world aboard a 26-foot boat "irresponsible."

Arguably, the risks associated with sailing alone in the open ocean are not the same as climbing with a team up Everest.

Nonetheless, the risks of climbing Everest were underscored by the challenges faced by 22-year-old Bonita Norris. This past week, she became the youngest Briton to reach the summit. Following the feat, however, she stumbled on the way down in an area known as a "dead zone" where climbers shouldn't stay more than a few hours. She lost the use of both legs and her feet were frozen. She was rescued by a team and carried part way down.

"I do everything in my power to make sure people come back safe, but there is no such thing as a risk-free climb," Kenton Cool, the 36-year-old professional mountaineer whose climbing company helped rescue Norris and to achieve her dream, told the Guardian.

Jordan Romero's blog says that he's "flat on his belly" at a camp at 25,000 feet, recovering from his ascent. "The effort he put out in this last ... 48 hours is, you're not going to believe the story when you see it and read about it," wrote one of the members of his team.

In December, Jordan plans to finish his quest to climb the highest peak on every continent. The last summit is in Antarctica.

RELATED:

[ Editor's note: In the original headline and summary Jordan Romero's first name was misspelled.]

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Jordan Romero, 13, summits Everest: How young is too young?

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Thirteen-year-old Jordan Romero is now the youngest climber to reach the top of the world, Mount Everest. On Saturday, Jordan reached the summit with his dad, a paramedic, his dad's girlfriend, and three Nepalese sherpas. The young Californian has now climbed the tallest mountains on six of the world's seven continents.

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The Time I... Climbed Mt. Everest - Disney Channel Official

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Woman set to make history on Mount Everest

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Mountain climber Melissa Arnot joins TODAY from her Mount Everest base camp to talk about attempting to again scale the mountain, but without the help of supplemental oxygen. She'd be the first U.S. woman to complete the dangerous climb.

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Mount Everest Facts and  History - Fun Facts for Kids | Educational Videos by Mocomi

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Teen Climber: Too Young to Scale Mt. Everest?

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Teen Climber: Too Young to Scale Mt. Everest?

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Teen Climber: Too Young to Scale Mt. Everest?

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Climber: Mount Everest Turning Into Trash Heap

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Climber: Mount Everest Turning Into Trash Heap

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Climber: Mount Everest turning into 'trash heap'

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Mount Everest climbers are being asked to pick up the garbage that's piling up on the mountain. Violators could be fined or banned. NBC's Keir Simmons reports.

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Climb Mount Everest with Berg Adventures

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Climb Mount Everest with Berg Adventures

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Everest - South Col Route

Everest is still the ultimate summit for any mountaineer. The accomplishment of standing on its apex is not diminished by recent popularity. No one can climb Everest for you. Despite what some believe, terms such as "short-roping" do not apply. This is a mountaineer's climb, demanding skill and self-awareness. Our team will take on this challenge in a competent and focused manner, using the collective experience of elite Sherpa high-altitude mountaineers under Wally Berg's leadership. We will approach the climb with all the dedication, humility and organization necessary to succeed on the highest summit on Earth.

Each of our team members will benefit from the same level of support and equipment, and each will have the goal of standing on the top of Everest. We do not believe in the "tiered" pricing for various categories of team membership that has become the hallmark of the strictly commercial expeditions to Everest in recent years.

Berg Adventures is the only company to readily offer fall expeditions. The notion that Everest cannot be climbed in the fall is a relatively recent one. Wally Berg noted that when he first climbed Everest in October 1992 there were 7 different expeditions on the mountain and 36 people reached the summit between Sept. 25 and October 15! In the past few years when we have gone in the fall we have had the mountain to ourselves. See our archived dispatches, including the exciting account of Kit Deslaurier's ski descent of Everest in October 2006.

Making Your Everest Dream a Reality

Proper preparation and organization are the keys to success on Everest. We have the time and expertise to make your Everest dream come true and we are readily available to help you navigate along your road to the top of the world.

If you are serious about climbing Mount Everest, contact the BAI office to discuss a strategy that will get your training and plans headed in the right direction. If Everest is something that you've always dreamed of, but you don't know if it is for you, we would love to discuss your options. We can help you answer the questions you may have: Is Everest right for me? What relevant experience do I have? What should be my next step?

Qualifications and Training

At over 29,000ft/8,840m, Everest requires climbers to have a very high level of fitness. Begin training for the expedition as early as possible before departure to ensure that you are in top condition.

Overall fitness, with a focus on increasing endurance, is important to your success. Running, fast walking, swimming, cycling, soccer, basketball, and other sports can be ideal for aerobic training. You will want to practice hiking with a weighted pack (approximately 40lbs), going uphill as much as possible. Weight your pack with jugs of water during training ascents. By dumping out the water before coming down, you can reduce the strain on your knees.

Conditions

Everest is extreme, but it can be a surprisingly pleasant place to camp and live during the spring and fall seasons when we will be there. Life at base camp is simple, but you will be well cared for by the best cooks and support staff around. That said, weather conditions are highly variable on Everest - from warm, sunny days to cold, windy and snowy ones. Experience camping at high altitudes and in low temperatures is necessary before you go because it teaches you how to adjust your gear and manage your body temperature. Selection of the proper equipment for climbing and camping on Everest is imperative. We are happy to help you find the gear that will best protect you from the elements and will help you manage your clothing and gear for the expedition. Everest is uncompromising, but if you are well prepared you will surely appreciate how spectacular it is.

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Climb Mt. Everest with Berg Adventures: Trip Description

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Trip description for Berg Adventures International expedition to climb Mt. Everest, the world's highest peak. Led by 4 time Everest summitter Wally Berg, founder of Berg Adventures International

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Earth Science activities and videos for kids grades 6-10 | Scholastic Science World Magazine

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Find Earth Science activities, videos, and games for your science classroom from Scholastic Science World Magazine.

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Scholastic Teaching Tools | Resources for Teachers

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Explore Scholastic Teaching Tools for teaching resources, printables, book lists, and more. Enhance your classroom experience with expert advice!

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Mt. Everest: Why Do People Keep Climbing It?

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Mt. Everest: Why Do People Keep Climbing It?

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Explore Mount Everest with our high-resolution 3D map and discover all routes for trekking and mountaineering.

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How People Die on Mount Everest: Infographic

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How People Die on Mount Everest: Infographic

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Last week, 80-year-old Yuichiro Miura became the oldest person to climb Mount Everest. Amazing, but other people weren't so lucky. As of 2012, an estimated 235 people have died on the mountain.

This infographic, from designer Ed Hernandez, breaks down what happened to them. Some of the causes of death are what you might expect-an avalanche or unexpected fall are the top two causes-but others are more surprising: altitude sickness accounted for nine deaths, while cerebral oedemas-fluid buildup in the brain that happens at high altitudes-killed five people.

Most of the climbers died while climbing back down the mountain, usually in the "Death Zone," which is 8,000 meters up (the mountain itself is 8,850 meters tall) and lethally combines blistering cold, low oxygen, and high elevation.

The infographic calls Everest "the highest graveyard on planet earth." No kidding.
Deaths on Mount Everest infographic

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How People Die On Mount Everest [Infographic]

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Last week, 80-year-old Yuichiro Miura became the oldest person to climb Mount Everest. Amazing, but other people weren't so lucky. As of 2012, an estimated 235 people have died on the mountain. This infographic, from designer Ed Hernandez, breaks down what happened to them.

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Has the Summit of Mt. Everest Become an Overcrowded Tourist Trap?

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Has the Summit of Mt. Everest Become an Overcrowded Tourist Trap?

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The route to the top of the world has become too crowded.

The first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest was James Whittaker, who accomplished that towering feat in 1963. As he stood at the summit, accompanied his Sherpa guide, both men were very much alone.

Fast forward to 2013, when a team from National Geographic Magazine trekked up the mountain to mark the anniversary of Whittaker's quest; they found that in 2013, the challenge isn't nearly as....challenging.

According to an article in the current National Geographic Magazine, about nine out of ten who reach the summit now are guided "clients," people who pay up to $120,000 for this "tour." Not that climbing Everest is easy, even under those conditions: Ten deaths were reported in 2012, including three Sherpa guides. But today-as if the altitude, the winds, the lack of oxygen wasn't enough to deter them--climbers walk up trails that are polluted, with garbage leaking out of the glaciers and pyramids of human excrement befouling the high camps.

In more than a few places, climbers face a more gruesome encounter: corpses of the dead who didn't make it to the top.

"When I arrived at the apex ..., it was so crowded I couldn't find a place to stand," writes author Mark Jenkins in the June issue of the National Geographic. "Meanwhile, down below at the Hillary Step the lines were so long that some people going up waited more than two hours, shivering, growing weak-this even though the weather was excellent. If these throngs of climbers had been caught in a storm, as others were in 1996, the death toll could have been staggering.

"Clearly the world's highest peak is broke," he writes. "But if you talk to the people who know it best, they'll tell you it's not beyond repair."

There are about 35,000 visitors to the Everest region annually, and the money they spend for guides and permits is crucial to Nepal's economy, where the average national wage is less than $900. It has become, in the words of one climber, "a commercial mountain."

The crowding has led to altercations, and worse, on the mount. In 1996, eight climbers were killed and several others stranded in a sudden blizzard near the summit. The tragedy was documented by Jon Krakauer, a journalist and climber on that expedition, in his 1997 best-selling book, "Into Thin Air."

There are still memorable moments at Everest. Earlier this month, Arunima Sinha, 26, a trainee police officer from India, became the first female amputee to reach the top. Just two days later, an 80-year-old Japanese mountaineer became the oldest man to scale Everest; while in 2010, Jordan Romero, a 13-year-old American boy, was became the youngest to trek to the top.

As the Everest climb becomes more of an "extreme sport" and less of a unique, life-changing event, the crowds and queues are likely to increase. In his piece, Jenkins lays out some way to improve the climbing environment, including issuing fewer permits to climbers, restricting the size of the climber teams to lessen congestion, and to require all climbers to remove all their waste and garbage from the mountain.

One crucial element is to ensure that climbers have the experience necessary; without the training, some just don't recognize that at some point, it might be time to turn around and go back.

"Only half the people here have the experience to climb this mountain," a Sherpa told the magazine. "The half without experience are the most likely to die."

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Has the summit of Mount Everest become an overcrowded tourist trap?

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The route to the top of the world has become too crowded. The first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest was James Whittaker, who accomplished that towering feat in 1963. As he stood at the summit, accompanied his Sherpa guide, both men were very much alone.