'A COVID-19 outbreak at base camp would be dangerous and potentially devastating.'
Many would-be Everest climbers have already canceled their trips, either because they're from countries like China, South Korea and Italy, which have been hard-hit and are facing travel restrictions, or because they're fearful of travel. There may just be around 150 people on the south, Nepal side of the mountain this year, Furtenbach said.
"For the next decades, there will not be a mountain with so few people like we will see this season," said Furtenbach, who is based in Austria. Light illuminates Mount Everest during sunset in Solukhumbu district, also known as the Everest region, Nov.30, 2015. Light illuminates Mount Everest during sunset in Solukhumbu district, also known as the Everest region, Nov.30, 2015.The north side of Everest is seen as safer because climbers avoid several difficult south-side features like the Khumbu Icefall, but also because China has stricter controls than Nepal does over who can get on the mountain. This year, only 300 permits were to be given out, and, Ballinger said, permit prices nearly doubled from $9,500 to $18,500.
For those reasons, Furtenbach prefers climbing the north side, but he moved his expedition this year to the Nepal side, citing logistical challenges and the possibility of a trip having to be extended due to quarantines. He could do this because Furtenbach Adventures stores gear in Kathmandu, but other north-side companies may not be as conveniently staged and have to cancel.
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