Overview

• Erik Weihenmayer, who summited Mount Everest in 2001, has expressed concerns about the severe waste problem caused by mass mountaineering in the Himalaya.
• Weihenmayer recounted witnessing climbers dumping trash on peaks like Ama Dablam, reflecting a disregard for environmental stewardship.
• Nepal has announced a 35% increase in Everest permit fees for foreign climbers, raising the cost to $15,000 starting September 2025.
• Weihenmayer criticized the fee hike, arguing it turns Everest into a pursuit accessible only to the wealthy, limiting inclusivity in mountaineering.
• Efforts to manage waste and regulate climbing have struggled against growing climber traffic and insufficient enforcement, exacerbating environmental challenges.