Deadly Traffic Jams at High Altitudes Pose a Danger for Climbers

Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, has become a deadly Instagram hotspot as climbers face thick traffic jams, a filthy base camp, and increasing risks of death. This week, two climbers, British climber Daniel Paterson and his Nepali guide Pas Tenji Sherpa, were believed dead after a tragic incident on the mountain.

Videos circulating on social media show a line of hundreds of climbers stranded after a chunk of hardened snow collapsed, dragging the climbers down the mountain. The overcrowded conditions on Everest have raised concerns about the safety of climbers, with incidents of climbers bypassing corpses and leaving people dying.

Despite the dangers, Everest remains a popular destination for climbers, with hundreds jammed side by side along the treacherous Hillary Step. Mountaineering guide Vinayak Jaya Malla witnessed the collapsing cornice last week, narrowly avoiding disaster himself.

The increasing traffic on Everest has become a serious issue, with climbers facing low oxygen levels and dangerous conditions. Indian mountaineer Rajan Dwivedi, who successfully summited Everest, described the harrowing experience of seeing climbers in precarious situations and a “sleepy/zombie state.”

As the climbing season reaches its peak, officials are grappling with how to manage the overcrowding on the mountain. The tragic incidents on Everest serve as a stark reminder of the risks involved in attempting to conquer the world’s highest peak.