Nepal’s coronavirus crisis spurs Everest hopefuls to ‘camp’ in oxygen-deprivation tents at home

A growing number of climbers are using oxygen-deprivation tents ahead of their adventures to reduce exposure to the virus by cutting down expedition lengths

Nepal, a small Himalayan nation of 28 million people bordering India, has been recording an average of 9,000 new Covid-19 infections per day recently

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In preparation for his expedition to Nepal, Francisco Martin spent two months sleeping and working in a hypoxic tent, which mimics thin air at high altitude, in his New York apartment. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:44pm, 21 May 2021Updated: 10:46pm, 21 May 2021

Mountaineer Akash Neggi is fully prepared to take on the world’s highest mountain – after spending several weeks sleeping in a tent in his living room in the US state of New Jersey.

As Nepal battles Covid-19, a growing number of climbers are using oxygen-deprivation tents ahead of their expeditions to reduce exposure to the coronavirus by cutting down the length of their Himalayan adventures.

Mount Everest aspirants typically spend eight days trekking from Kathmandu to base camp at 5,364 metres (17,598 feet), using the journey to acclimatise to high-altitude conditions.

Mount Everest, the world highest peak, and other peaks of the Himalayan range are seen through an aircraft window. Photo: Reuters

But this year, more than 30 mountaineers have already been evacuated from base camp for medical reasons since the start of the spring climbing season in April – with three known to have contracted the coronavirus.

Neggi, a seasoned climber, used the chamber as he did not have enough holiday leave for his expedition. But he is now relieved to have avoided the extra days on the ground.