KATHMANDU, Nepal -At least 70 percent mountaineers have reportedly quit their Everest bid till Saturday noon. With this, the government’s attempt to persuade the high-altitude guides to continue the climb this season have failed as there are hardly 10-12 expedition groups have left at the Base Camp.
According to government officials posted at the Base Camp, many groups have quit their ascending mission and the remaining are also in a mood to quit their attempts. “Many groups have left the Base Camp on Saturday morning and the remaining ones are also seen packing,” ekantipur quoted an official at the base camp adding none of the groups have informed the government office stationed at the Base Camp on their departure. The government had issued permit for 39 groups with more than 330 individuals. Five groups comprising 43 foreign climbers of Seven Summit Trek have abandoned their mission. Twelve foreign members of Summit Nepal Trekking have left the Base Camp while three groups of Shangri La Nepal Trek have abandoned their mission. According to Himalayan Guides Nepal, its three groups comprising 40 foreigners have quit their climbing. On April 18, 16 high-altitude guides were killed and nine injured in an avalanche above the Everest Base Camp following which many climbing guides had proposed declaring 2014 as a ‘Black Everest Year’