Chinese officials are calling it– the 2017 climbing season on Everest’s north side is finished reports The Himalayan Times.
Related: Kilian Jornet Just Climbed Everest in 17 Hours!
For climbers hoping to summit Mount Everest as well Cho-Oyu and Shishapangma from Tibetan side– they’ll have to wait till 2018 to make their ascents from what is commonly considered the more developed and generally less dangerous side of the world’s tallest mountain.
China closes Mt Everest, Cho-Oyu, Shishapangma from climbing in autumn – https://t.co/bVFk4UFdkQ pic.twitter.com/2DzhLlmJqj
— The Himalayan Times (@thehimalayan) June 8, 2017
The China Tibet Mountaineering Association indicated that the move to pause permitting for this year is the result of a Polish mountaineer who ascended from the Tibetan side but then traversed to Nepal. Officials with the CTMA stated that “His action causes the industry related internal rules and regulations need to be adjusted and improved.”
That reasoning isn’t sitting well with everyone. Many have since speculated that Chinese officials are closing down the mountain due to a handful climbers that are using their ascents to promote Tibetan independence, a practice which is illegal in China. The Nepalese side will remain open to the climbing community.
Find the entire Himalayan Times article here: China closes Mt Everest, Cho-Oyu, Shishapangma from climbing this autumn
