A new record has been set on Mount Everest, with 274 climbers—the highest number in a single day—ascending the peak from the Nepal side. The expedition, which began on Wednesday morning following clear weather and a receding of snow, lasted for 11 hours. Experts have been continuously issuing warnings regarding the increasing overcrowding and safety risks on Everest.
According to Khim Lal Gautam, an official from Nepal’s Department of Tourism, 274 people successfully summited Everest on Wednesday. Previously, on May 22, 2019, a record was established when 223 climbers reached the summit of Everest from the Nepal side.
This year, permits to climb Everest have been issued to approximately 500 foreign climbers. This marks the highest figure recorded to date.
Photographs circulating on social media revealed long queues of climbers. These queues extended all the way to Everest’s “Death Zone”—the region situated above 8,000 meters above sea level, where oxygen levels are extremely low.
The Government of Nepal had raised the Everest permit fee from $11,000 to $15,000, effective September 2024. Despite this increase, the boom in Everest tourism continues unabated.
