To reduce congestion on Everest, Nepal is allowing access to 97 other free peaks. The issue, however, is that no one is interested in climbing them.

Although some contenders seek to remove the crown,  Everest  remains the mountaineer’s  Grand Prix . Hundreds of people die every year on their quest to reach the summit, ensuring personal glory and a  certificate  of accomplishment. The allure of this monumental peak is so powerful that some individuals have even resorted to fabricating tales of their expeditions. It is evident that  Everest  has become a tourism behemoth, prompting Nepal to implement a radical solution: opening up other  Himalayan peaks  for free climbing.

But it won’t be so easy.

Pressure. Climbing to the pinnacle of  Everest  is no simple feat. The difficulty is exemplified by the sombre reality of  bodies  that accumulate in its crevices. Nevertheless, mountaineering—particularly the pursuit of  Everest —remains one of the heavyweight industries in the  Nepali economy . It is estimated that in 2024, out of the $5.9 million garnered from climbing permits to its peaks, over  75%  will be attributed to  Everest  alone. This figure does not even account for additional income derived from aspects such as  accommodation ,  food , and other activities related to climbing.

However, with the peak’s increasing  popularity , the challenges of overcrowding have compelled the government to adjust pricing structures. Climbing rates will see a significant rise: from  $11,000  to  $15,000  during peak months. Conversely, during periods of lower traffic from  September to November  and  December to February , rates will be set at  $7,500  and  $3,750 , respectively, starting from  September 1  of this year.

The Himalayas Open for Business. Achieving  Everest  is not solely about finances; there’s also a heated discussion surrounding the pre-requisite of climbing a  7,000-meter  peak within Nepal before attempting  Everest . This stipulation ties into recent decisions from  Kathmandu  that will change the climbing landscape. On  July 17 , the government announced the opening of nearly one hundred mountains for climbing without the need for permits.

Specifically,  97  peaks are located in the westernmost regions of the country:  77  of these summits are situated in the  Karnali  province, while the remaining  20  are found in  Sudurpaschim . Notably, these are not insignificant mountains, given that  Nepal  hosts eight of the ten highest peaks in the world:

• Saipal –  7,030 meters .
• API West –  7,076 meters .
• API –  7,132 meters .

Tourists Welcome (Please). Analyzing the numbers, this initiative makes profound sense for two reasons. First, it aims to alleviate the  congestion  at  Everest , which has become a logistical challenge due to the rising number of visitors. Second, it seeks to  distribute tourism  more evenly across other summits, which are currently overshadowed by the fame of  Everest .

The government is eager to spark interest in these less-visited—or even virgin—peaks. With over  75%  of the revenue generated from climbing permits coming from  Everest , consider this: in  2024 ,  421  climbing permits were issued for  Everest , while only  68  climbers attempted to scale the  97  summits that will be opened without the permit fee.

Challenges Beyond the Mountain. Offering incentives for adventurers to explore these alternate areas will not only alleviate traffic on the iconic peak but also provide an opportunity for economic uplift in more remote regions, many of which boast equally breathtaking landscapes. However, convincing climbers to venture towards these areas will be a major hurdle.

Karnali and Sudurpaschim are among the poorest and least developed regions in Nepal, equipped with limited services and inadequate infrastructure. This lack hinders these locations’ ability to efficiently cater to tourism, creating a significant barrier. Furthermore, as highlighted by the  BBC , it remains uncertain how local communities will handle a potential surge in climbers or if authorities have plans to enhance infrastructure to connect these more isolated regions.

Climbing those  7,000-meter peaks  may be free now, but if making it to these destinations poses an adventure that rivals the experience of summiting  Everest , climbers are likely to continue gravitating towards the well-prepared routes leading to the famed peak.

Image | Sebastian Pena Lambarri

In summary, while Everest remains a formidable challenge that draws adventurers worldwide, the opening of other peaks presents a new landscape for exploration. This shift may help in decongesting Everest while promoting tourism in less traveled areas, but significant challenges need to be addressed to accommodate and attract climbers effectively.