China plans major cut in number of people allowed to climb Everest
- Fewer than 300 people will be allowed to climb the world’s highest mountain from the north side as part of a major clean-up operation
China will cut the number of climbers attempting to scale Mount Everest from the north by one-third this year as part of plans for a major clean-up on the world’s highest peak, state media reported Monday.
The total number of climbers seeking to reach the summit from the north will be limited to less than 300 and the climbing season restricted to spring, China Daily reported.
The clean-up efforts will include the recovery of the bodies of climbers who died more than 8,000 meters (26,246 feet) up the mountain, they said.
Parts of Everest are in China and Nepal. Each year, about 60,000 climbers and guides visit the Chinese north side of the mountain, which China refers to by its Tibetan name, Mount Qomolangma.
China has set up stations to sort, recycle and break down rubbish from the mountain, which includes cans, plastic bags, stove equipment, tents and oxygen tanks.