{"id":44330,"date":"2024-02-26T10:52:19","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T17:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/?p=44330"},"modified":"2024-03-28T16:06:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T22:06:49","slug":"everest-2024-coverage-are-luxury-operators-being-targeted-by-nepal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/26\/everest-2024-coverage-are-luxury-operators-being-targeted-by-nepal\/","title":{"rendered":"Everest 2024 Coverage: Are Luxury Operators Being Targeted by Nepal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Out of the blue, Nepal announced new policies limiting “luxuries” offered by operators at Everest Base Camp. The authorities cited environmental impact but still allowed an unlimited number of people on the mountain each season. Luxuries on Everest are nothing new and are offered by most operators, but some are more than others. The limits on luxuries apply to Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam and are effective for the spring 2024 season.<\/p>\n

\"Flat<\/a>
Himalayan Experience (HIMEX) Flat Screen TV Inside the Tiger Dome – 2010 EBC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Share a Toilet<\/h3>\n

It appears that authorities are focusing on the footprint of each team and its members. For example, the size of the sleeping and dining areas and the number of toilet tents. Remember that teams can range in size from under 20 to over 200, and many teams use a large amount of space at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall.<\/p>\n

\"Everest<\/a>
Everest Base Camp 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Each team usually has at least a tent for cooking, dining, sleeping and a toilet. Others will add tents for storage and other needs. However, the ones that are getting the most attention are large domes and personal toilet tents attached to smaller domes for sleeping. In the old days, pre-2015, most sleeping tents were three-person North Face VE-25s.<\/p>\n

\"Sleeping<\/a>
Sleeping tents at EBC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, large “Box Tents” are popular, allowing an individual to stand upright, and many have cots to sleep on and perhaps a work table and chair.<\/p>\n

\"Single-person<\/a>
Single-person Member Tents at Everest Base Camp. Courtesy of Imagine Nepal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The new regulations recycle an old one that was unevenly enforced. They only allow climbers with permits to sleep at base camp, and a new rule prohibits tents for “commercial use.” This is most likely targeting massage parlors, cafes, bakeries, and art dealers that have previously popped up, including a museum one year!<\/p>\n

One interesting ban is for toilet tents attached to a sleeping tent. Also, box tents are banned above the base camp. Helicopters are now restricted from flying gear to base camp, so yaks will be used as they have for decades. This alone might eliminate many of the large luxuries like big-screen TVs.<\/p>\n

\"Dome<\/a>
Dome Tents at EBC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Dome<\/a>
Dome Tents at Camp 2 on Everest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Top, Top End<\/h3>\n

A handful of operators offer very high-end services that could be put in the luxury category. By the way, they often fill this program with well-heeled clients each year. One of the concerns for some packages beyond the footprint at base camp is the environmental impact of frequent helicopter flights and the use of generators. Also, the increased level of support climbers, usually Sherpas, adds to the crowds and the feces problem on Everest unless the operator enforces the use of WAG bags.<\/p>\n

Seven Summits Treks<\/a> offers “VIP Everest Expedition 2024<\/a>.” They no longer list prices on their website, but the last time they did, it was $130,000, probably higher now, closer to $200,000. Perks beyond a standard expedition taken from their 2024 website include:<\/p>\n