Nepal Bans Solo Climbing on Mount Everest

Nepal has banned solo climbers from scaling its mountains, including Mount Everest, in an attempt to reduce accidents and make mountaineering safer.

New safety regulations also prohibit double amputee and blind climbers from attempting to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak, Ibtimes.org reported.

The death toll in winter stood at six, including 85-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan, who died in a bid to reclaim his title as the world’s oldest person to reach the top.

A record number of climbers tried to climb Everest last year. World-renowned Swiss climber Ueli Steck, who was known as the “Swiss Machine”, also died during a solo climb to a peak neighboring Everest.

Foreign climbers will have to be accompanied by a guide, according to the new regulations. The new rule will also help create more job opportunities for Nepali mountain guides.

The Nepal government’s decision to ban double amputees and visually impaired climbers was criticized by some.

Aspiring Everest climber Hari Budha Magar, who lost both his legs when he was deployed in Afghanistan, called the move “discriminatory and injustice” in a Facebook post.

“I will be climbing Mt. Everest whatever the cabinet decides. Nothing is impossible,” he said.

Nearly 300 people have died on Mount Everest since the first ascent to the peak was made in 1953. It is estimated that more than 200 bodies are still lying on the mountain, the Kathmandu Post reported.