How will coronavirus affect the Everest climbing season? Nepal will go ahead, China is a logistical challenge but possible
- If you can navigate the lack of flights and the quarantine periods, it will still be possible to summit Everest, experts say
Climbers attempting to summit Mount Everest are a determined group. They are undeterred by the 100-plus knot winds, subfreezing cold and lethally low levels of oxygen. But the threat of coronavirus may be the obstacle that grounds mountaineers for the spring climbing season to begin in April.
Since the outbreak, postponements and cancellations have plagued events worldwide. Even the Olympics is under threat. Mount Everest is not immune.
The outlook for Mount Everest’s spring climbing season is mixed. There are two main routes to summit the 29,029-foot peak (8,848m), one from the south side in Nepal where most summit attempts begin, and the other from the north side in China where less than half of ascents start.
A number of experts have said the Nepal side should still be unaffected. Although tourism is quiet at the moment, there are rumours of travel restrictions and some climbers have already postponed their attempts. The Chinese side will be a logistical challenge but is still possible if you can get to base camp.
The coronavirus outbreak has all but shut down access to China. With increased cases of coronavirus, numerous routes around the world are being cut to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Rearranging a climb from China to the Nepal side this late in the year would be close to impossible. If climbers can get into China, self-quarantine for 14 days and then make their way to Tibet where Mount Everest ascents commence, they will be able to make their attempt. But they will face a tougher challenge trying to leave China and repatriate if the outbreak has not abated.
