Solukhumbu — The Department of Tourism has issued 478 climbing permits for Mount Everest this spring season, smashing the previous record of 463 set in 2023. At NPR 1.1 million per permit, it puts over NPR 526 million into government coffers before a single boot hits the South Col.
The NepaliWave take: the permit revenue is a fraction of what Everest actually generates. Foreign guiding companies, luxury lodges, and gear brands capture the lion's share. Local Sherpa communities — who carry the real risk — often see as little as 15-20% of the total economic value the mountain creates.
This season has already seen two weather-window pile-ups at the Hillary Step that produced images circulated globally — hundreds of climbers queuing in the death zone. Three climbers have died so far, all on summit day, all in the summit queue.
Nepal Mountaineering Association president Nima Sherpa is pushing for a hard cap of 350 permits per season, a proposal that has been on the table since 2019 and has been blocked each time by tourism ministry officials citing revenue concerns.
Climber and environmentalist Dawa Yangzum Sherpa told NepaliWave: 'The mountain doesn't care about our revenue projections. But our decisions will determine whether Everest is still worth climbing in 2040.'