Want to summit Everest? Nepal may first ask climbers to scale 7,000m peak

NEW DELHI: Nepal lawmakers have proposed that climbers seeking an Everest permit should first summit at least one 7,000m peak in the country, part of a wider move to tighten access to the world’s highest mountain after a record spring season that saw 1,008 successful ascents from the Nepal side — the first time the number crossed the 1,000 mark — and five deaths, including two Indians. Nepal issued 492 permits for Mount Everest this season, while concerns over crowding, inexperienced climbers and waste returned to the centre of the debate.