Mount Everest closed over coronavirus fears

CNN — The coronavirus outbreak has reached the top of the world. Nepal announced on Friday it is shutting down all expeditions on Mount Everest for the rest of this year’s climbing season amid the worsening global pandemic. The decision comes at the start of this year’s closely watched climbing season, which was already getting underway amid concerns around overcrowding on the Earth’s highest peak. Sadly, we have to agree that this is a responsible call to make right now.” Adrian Ballinger, head of the group Alpenglow Expeditions, had said earlier this week that he was informed by the Chinese government agency responsible for granting permission to climb the Tibetan side of the mountain that access has been stopped there as well. “Climbing a mountain is not currently worth the transmission risk in the Base Camps, nor upon returning home.” “While I am saddened for all the hard work our members, guides, Sherpa, local staff, partners and office have put in, and that they and we won’t get to test ourselves on the highest playground in the world this year, I am in agreement with China’s decision,” Ballinger said on Instagram.