Climbing Mount Everest has long been the ultimate challenge for adventure seekers and mountain climbers around the world. But climbing the highest mountain in the world is dangerous. As more people attempt to climb, the death toll on Everest inevitably rises. The rise in deaths on Everest has left some wondering: how many deaths is too many? At what point should climbing on Mount Everest be banned?
The history of deaths while climbing Everest dates back to 1922. British climbers trying to become the first to the top were trapped in an avalanche, resulting in seven deaths. In the decades since, more than 280 people have died climbing Everest. Since 1977, there has been at least one death each year.
Questions about the safety of climbing Everest became widespread in 1996, when a snowstorm killed eight climbers. Four other climbers died that same year in separate incidents. At the time, it was the deadliest year on Everest.
Similar incidents have occurred again in recent years. In 2014, an avalanche killed 16 Sherpas. In 2015, an earthquake caused a huge avalanche that left 19 dead. Even without these catastrophic events, climbing Everest leads to a worrying number of deaths. The following year, 2016, seven climbers died on Everest. His causes of death include falls, altitude sickness, heart problems, stroke and exposure.
These tragedies can be exacerbated by a number of factors. On the one hand, there are often several expeditions on the mountain at the same time. This can lead to so-called “traffic jams”, where there are too many climbers trying to take the same routes to get to the top. When bad weather hits, these large groups of climbers are all vulnerable.
The large number of climbers and subsequent traffic jams can also mean climbers are stuck near the top for longer periods of time. This leaves climbers exposed to the elements for too long, increasing the risk of death. Due to the high altitude near the top of Everest, it is impossible to survive more than a few hours. Any delay at this point can be deadly.
There has also been an increase in the number of companies helping climbers. It is common practice for climbers to hire guides, often local Sherpas, to help them navigate the mountain and reach its summit. But as the demand for these services has increased, so has the number of companies. Not all of these companies are reputable. Some use cheap equipment and hire guides who are not prepared to help climbers. These cost-cutting measures mean a lower price for climbers, but at what price?
Inexperienced guides and cheap equipment mean even greater risk for climbers already embarking on a dangerous journey. The trekkers have called on the Nepalese government to increase regulations and safety measures for climbers on Everest. In 2015, after two consecutive years of deadly disasters, Nepal announced new requirements for those seeking permits to climb Everest. Starting in 2016, climbers had to prove that they had reached the top of other great mountains. Very young, elderly and disabled climbers were also banned.
With the new regulations, we are likely to see a decrease in deaths on Everest. However, nothing can completely prevent these deaths. People who climb Everest do so because they want to challenge themselves. They want to feel the pride of having reached the top of the highest mountain in the world. Climbers should be aware of the risks associated with Everest and make the decision to climb with those risks in mind. Instead of demanding a complete ban on climbing Everest, climbers must accept responsibility for their decision to undertake what they know to be a dangerous journey.