A record 274 climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest from the Nepalese side in a single day on Wednesday, taking advantage of clear weather after a delayed start to the spring season due to the threat of ice fall on the normal route.
Rishi Ram Bhandari of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal confirmed the figure, calling it the highest number of climbers in a single day so far. He noted that the number could rise as some climbers who summited may not have yet informed base camp.
All but one of the climbers used supplementary bottled oxygen and were assisted by Sherpa guides. The exception was Ecuadorian climber Marcelo Segovia, who summited independently without oxygen.
The large convergence occurred as climbers waiting in higher camps for better wind conditions were joined by those from lower camps, leading to reports of queues and a slow pace of ascent. Mountaineering experts have criticised Nepal for allowing large numbers on the mountain, which can cause dangerous jams in the 'death zone' where oxygen levels are insufficient for human survival.
This week, veteran guide Kami Rita Sherpa scaled the peak for the 32nd time, breaking his own record for the most summits. Pasang Dawa Sherpa reached 30 summits, and Lhakpa Sherpa topped her own record for the most summits by a female climber with 11 ascents.
Nepal has issued 494 permits for Everest this year, each costing $15,000. The climbing season, which began late due to a hanging serac on the key route, is expected to see 494 climbers and an equal number of Sherpa guides attempt the summit by the end of May.
