Queueing at top of the world: Climbers are scaling Everest in record numbers despite Covid outbreaks
Climbers have been scaling Mount Everest in record numbers this spring, forming queues to the summit amid a surge in coronavirus cases and fears they are spreading a new Nepalese strain across the globe. Mount Everest has issued a record number of permits, worth around £3 million, after last year's peak season was ruined by coronavirus Dozens of climbers are lined up close to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal on May 12. There was a record 9,317 cases reported on May 11 as hordes of mountaineers began taking to the peak for the spring high season Public Health England's weekly report found the variant had been spotted 43 times in Britain so far, up from the 29 last week Lukas Furtenbach, who was the first to call off his expedition because of Covid-19 outbreaks, says the government should extend the validity of the £7,800 licence his clients purchased to climb Everest. Record numbers of permits have been issued after last year's climbing season was dashed by coronavirus Mountaineers pose at the top of Mount Everest as a long queue forms down the mountain of others keen to take their picture at the peak Mountaineers look back towards Camp 4, the final camp along the trek, before making their way up to the summit of Everest A group of mountaineers make their way up to the summit of Mount Everest, 29,000ft above sea level Mountaineers' tents at Camp 2 on Mount Everest on May 8 Mountaineers tents set up at Camp 2 on Mount Everest on May 8.
Discover Related
Over 40 missing after avalanche in Indian Himalayas: rescuers
Uttarakhand avalanche highlights: 32 workers rescued as NDRF rushes four teams
No more solo climbs on Everest. Nepal bans lone climbers on Everest, other peaks
Nepal bans solo expedition of all mountain peaks above 8,000 meters
Why do people risk their lives to summit the world's deadliest mountains?
Strong earthquake kills dozens in region of Tibet near Mount Everest
Nepal halts helicopter services in Everest region after protests
Nepalese teenager sets world record by climbing all 14 of Earth’s highest peaks
Everest sherpas fear displacement after village devastated by glacial lake outburst