{"id":39165,"date":"2021-04-29T09:21:22","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T15:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/?p=39165"},"modified":"2021-05-01T09:16:04","modified_gmt":"2021-05-01T15:16:04","slug":"everest-2021-the-covid-situation-at-ebc-is-a-total-shitstorm-i-had-no-clue-what-i-was-flying-into","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/29\/everest-2021-the-covid-situation-at-ebc-is-a-total-shitstorm-i-had-no-clue-what-i-was-flying-into\/","title":{"rendered":"Everest 2021: “The Covid situation at EBC is a total shitstorm. I had no clue what I was flying into.”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nepal issued even more Everest and Lhotse permits smashing the 2019 record. Now at 408 for Everest and 123 for Lhotse but the real headline is from a climber who left base camp :<\/p>\n

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I have taken a helicopter out of EBC back to Kathmandu after 1 day. The Covid situation at EBC is a total shitstorm. I had no clue what I was flying into.<\/strong> It felt asinine to even be there. It was a heartbreaking decision but I\u2019m putting my health first. Covid at a high altitude does not sound like something I want to play with. \\Will hopefully fly home within the next couple of days and focus on K2 for June. There\u2019s just way too many people at EBC this year. Wishing all of the climbers there to be safe and successful but this girl is getting the hell out of dodge.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
I’m not sure she will make it to Pakistan as COVID is also exploding in Pakistan and many airlines are canceling flights to Pakistan. The summer season in the Karakorum is at significant risk. Of course, the virus is out of control in India and is hitting neighboring countries. Most likely, any country with frequent contact with India will be impacted.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Season Cancelled?<\/h3>\n

As I discuss in yesterday’s podcast<\/a>, I don’t see Nepal closing Everest even though they have implemented a limited lockdown in Nepal for another week. The issue is pride and saving face. After all, at one point the Nepal Prime Mister said that Nepal is a “COVID Free Country”. Now, Nepal is seeing a huge spike of 2,000 to 3,000 new cases each day.<\/p>\n

It will probably be left to the individual climbers like to evaluate the risk and make their decision. Guides have been sued recently for canceling expeditions for any reason, including their clients’ safety,  so they are a bit shy.<\/p>\n

The best people can do is to isolate, eat their meals in their tents, stay separated, even on the fixed rope. With over 400 people (and getting fewer by the day) there, this will be difficult. Perhaps it’s time for some team meetings and truth talk.<\/p>\n

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Nepal Permit Update: Record<\/h3>\n

The permits for Everest surpassed the previous record of 382 foreign permits set in 2019. The Nepal Ministry of Tourism posted these foreign permit tally as of April 28.<\/p>\n