Everest climbing season cut short due to quake damage, aftershocks

THERE will be no expeditions to Mount Everest’s peak for the remainder of the 2015 climbing season as mountaineering companies cancel spring trips.

Eighteen people lost their lives on the world’s tallest mountain after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25 triggered an avalanche on its slopes and razed base camp.

According to AFP, top climbing firms have cancelled their trips due to fears of aftershocks and damage to the route to Everest’s summit.

The news agency quoted two-time Everest summiteer Dawa Sherpa of Kathmandu-based Asian Trekkers as saying: “(There) is nothing in place for climbers anyway… no ropes or ladders… So there is no point in continuing this season.”

US-based International Mountain Guides, Nepalese team Seven Summits and market leader Himex have all cancelled their expeditions.

This follows less than a week after the Nepalese tourism department chief discouraged climbers from abandoning their expeditions, claiming that repairs were underway and downplaying worries of further quakes and aftershocks.

However, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, the agency that sets the route climbers take up Mount Everest, has yet to rule out climbing for this season, noted AFP.

International adventure and culture tour operators have pledged to stick by Nepal through its recovery, although they say it is difficult to assess how the earthquake will reshape Nepal tourism in the long run.

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