Selfie-hunting influencers are being banned from scaling Mount Everest under a new law aimed at deterring amateur climbers from searching for the perfect photo. Mountaineers will now have to prove that they have climbed a 22,900-foot peak before attempting the world’s tallest mountain. In addition, all climbers will have to provide proof of insurance. The law also allows authorities to declare missing climbers legally dead after one year. Overcrowding has been an issue for a number of years at Mount Everest, with a record 1,263 attempts in 2024. This has led to lines on the mountainside and left it littered with trash and discarded gear, while questions of safety have been raised. This problem has been exacerbated by under-prepared thrill seekers looking for so-called “extreme tourism” and influencers attempting to tackle the monumental climb without proper training. The government of Nepal hopes that tighter regulation on Mount Everest will prevent the need for rescues and will promote other mountains for commercial climbing.
