KATHMANDU — A record-breaking 274 climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest on Wednesday from the Nepali side, according to officials with the Expedition Operators Association Nepal. This marks the highest number of people ever to stand atop the world’s tallest mountain on the same day using the southern route.
Mount Everest, which rises 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet. Climbers can attempt to reach the summit from either the Nepali side or the Chinese side in Tibet, though China has closed its route this year.
The previous record for a single day from Nepal’s side was set on May 22, 2019, when 223 climbers from Nepal and 113 from the Chinese side summited on the same day. Wednesday’s climb beats that earlier record from the Nepali route alone.
Roughly 494 climbers, along with an equal number of Sherpa guides, are expected to attempt Everest before the climbing season ends later this month. The influx of mountaineers has drawn criticism from experts who worry about overcrowding on the mountain, which can create dangerous situations at narrow passages near the summit.
In response to safety concerns, Nepal has tightened regulations and raised permit fees in recent years. Despite these measures, the mountain continues to attract thousands of climbers from around the world each season, drawn by the challenge of conquering Earth’s highest peak.
