Record 274 climbers scale Mount Everest in a single day from Nepali side

KATHMANDU — A record 274 climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest on Wednesday, marking the highest number ever to scale the world’s tallest peak on the same day from the Nepali side, officials said.

Standing at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), Everest straddles the border between Nepal and China’s Tibet region and can be climbed from both sides. This year, no climbers attempted the Tibetan side, as Chinese authorities did not issue permits.

Rishi Bhandari, secretary general of the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal, said Thursday that the previous record of 223 climbers from the Nepali side was set on May 22, 2019. “This is the highest number of climbers in a single day so far,” Bhandari told Reuters. He added the number could rise as some climbers who reached the summit may not have reported back to base camp yet.

Nepal’s Department of Tourism received preliminary reports that more than 250 climbers had reached the peak on Wednesday. Himal Gautam, a tourism official, said climbers must return with photographs and other proof before their ascents can be officially confirmed and climbing certificates issued.

This year, Nepal issued 494 permits to climb Everest, each costing $15,000. Mountaineering experts have often criticised Nepal for allowing large numbers of climbers, which can lead to dangerous traffic jams in the “death zone” near the summit, where oxygen levels are critically low.

To address these risks, Nepal has implemented stricter controls and higher fees for climbers, aiming to improve safety and reduce congestion on the mountain.

-Reporting by Gopal Sharma; Editing by YP Rajesh and Raju Gopalakrishnan/Reuters