The Mount Everest climbing season is underway, with hundreds of climbers undeterred by a massive unstable ice block, high travel costs, and increased permit fees. Around 410 climbers and an equal number of Nepali guides have gathered at base camp, preparing to summit the world's highest peak during a narrow weather window.
Icefall Route Opens with Warnings
The route through the Khumbu Icefall was opened on 29 April after a two-week delay due to a large, unstable serac. The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), which manages the route, issued a severe caution: "The serac has multiple cracks and may collapse at any time. SPCC strongly urges all expedition operators and climbers to exercise extreme caution." The new trail passes directly below the serac, which is expected to remain in place.
Climbers and Guides Express Concern
Renowned guide Lukas Furtenbach, leading 40 international climbers and 11 guides, described the serac as a "real, objective hazard." He noted the route is more complex and exposed than last year, forcing teams to reduce loads, minimize exposure time, and rely on experienced Sherpas. Other operators, like Ang Tshering Sherpa of Asian Trekking, advise morning climbs when ice is frozen, as afternoon warmth increases the risk of icefall.
Historical Context and Climate Concerns
A falling serac triggered a deadly avalanche in 2014, killing 16 Nepali guides. Climate change is accelerating glacier melt, with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warning of devastating impacts in the Himalayas. This season, climber numbers remain strong despite the Iran war and rising costs, though Western climbers have decreased while Asian climbers have increased.
China has closed its route this year, funnelling all climbers through Nepal's south side. Everest was first summited on May 29, 1953, by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and thousands have since reached the peak.
