Mount Everest witnessed an unprecedented surge of mountaineers on Wednesday, with 274 climbers successfully reaching the summit from Nepal’s side of the mountain, according to hiking officials.
The achievement marks a new milestone for the world’s highest peak at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), which sits along the Nepal-Tibet border and offers climbing routes from both countries.
This year’s climbing activity was concentrated entirely on Nepal’s side, as expedition operators report that Chinese officials did not grant any permits for the Tibetan route.
Rishi Bhandari, secretary general of the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal, announced Thursday that Wednesday’s total surpassed the former record of 223 successful climbs from Nepal’s side, which occurred on May 22, 2019.
“This is the highest number of climbers in a single day so far,” Bhandari told Reuters, noting that the final count might increase as additional summit teams may not have yet reported their achievements to base camp.
While Chinese climbing statistics remain unavailable, Bhandari indicated that typically around 100 mountaineers attempt the summit from Tibet during the standard April-May climbing window.
Department of Tourism official Himal Gautam confirmed receiving initial reports of more than 250 successful Wednesday climbs.
“We wait for climbers to return, give us photographs and other evidence to prove their ascents and provide them with climbing certificates,” Gautam explained to Reuters. “Only then we will be able to confirm the numbers.”
Nepal distributed 494 Everest climbing permits this season, with each permit carrying a $15,000 fee.
The massive influx of climbers has reignited criticism from mountaineering specialists who argue that Nepal permits excessive numbers on the mountain, creating dangerous bottlenecks and lengthy waiting lines in the “death zone” beneath the summit, where oxygen levels fall critically below human survival requirements.
Nepalese authorities have recognized the hazards posed by overcrowding and inexperienced mountaineers, responding with stricter regulations and increased permit costs.
