China’s new rules made ascending Mt. Everest from Tibet more expensive than ever

DHARAMSALA, Dec 20: Chinese authorities’ new strict rules have made ascending Mt. Everest via North Ridge from Tibet more expensive than ever.

“The mountain has gotten even further out of reach for everyone except the very wealthiest. Meanwhile, the guiding industry is rife with corruption,” says Alan Arnette, a professional speaker, mountaineer and Alzheimer’s advocate.

It is understood that over the past few years, Alan Arnette has predicted two dramatic changes to climbing Mount Everest that is it would get more expensive and that China would make it more difficult to climb from North Ridge in Tibet.

A recent announcement by the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) has confirmed his both predictions.

China has informed operators that, effective January 1, 2019, several new rules will be put in place for expeditions on Everest as well as Cho Oyu(the sixth highest mountain in the world at 8,188 metres) and Shishapangma.(14th highest mountain in the world at 8,027 metres above sea level)

Climbing in Tibet has just become more expensive and more controlled. While the intent of some of this is good (trash management, centralized rescue), other rules are onerous and can result in unexpected expenses he says after obtaining a copy of the new rules from one of the Nepalese guide companies, which he says has not and will not be published anywhere.

The 8,848-metre-tall Mount Everest, located at the Tibet-Nepal border,

known in Nepali as Sagarmatha and Chomolungma in Tibetan is worlds highest mountain.

There are two commercial routes on Everest expedition, the south route via Southeast Ridge from Nepal and via North Ridge from Tibet.

Though ascending Mount Everest from the north side was historically seen as cheaper, wilder, freer, and more independent than climbing from the Nepal side, with the authorities’ new rules, Arnette says that ship has now sailed.